Wondery founder Hernan Lopez announced that Apple TV+ is set to produce We Crashed, an adaptation of Wondery’s podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork. The limited run series will star Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. It will be produced by Apple Studios. Continue Reading
Podcast Radio, the UK DAB+ venture which programs podcasts 24/7, has notified us of a new and original fiction podcast starring former BBC announcer Patrick Muirhead. The show is described as “a series of fictional mystery stories set in the remote tropical island paradise of Seychelles where [Muirhead] now lives.” It is the second original podcast produced by Podcast Radio. Continue Reading
by Steve Goldstein
In this guest column, Steve Goldstein lists major sponsors of Tom Brady’s first Super Bowl in 2002. “Great brands and shows iterate to stay relevant,” Goldstein says, and that’s how this fun and interesting column relates to podcasting.
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Jottings of note:
Financial literacy podcast Earn Your Leisure joins the Black Effect Podcast Network
The podcast, which has amassed more than five million downloads, applies an in-depth lens on the role money plays in sports, entertainment, and business.
Deezer recognized Black History Month with specialized content
The global streaming platform launched Deezer Black History Month Sessions featuring all original music recordings. Also, highlighting 26 original podcasts featuring black hosts and/or guests.
Podcaster Pence
Hardly a President, VP, or First Spouse who isn’t getting into the game. Today we hear the recently unemployed Mike Pence will launch a video podcast to “share the good news of conservatism.” He will collaborate with the Young America’s Foundation.
— Monday, February 8 Continue Reading
Nielsen has sent around a notice of “a trio of agencies” that have subscribed to the Nielsen Podcast Buying Power Service. They are Active International, Ad Results Media, and Oxford Road. Nielsen’s service offers insights spanning 18 genres that can be cross-referenced against a massive category of consumer purchase behavior patterns and services usage. The extensive Scarborough category database is leveraged in the service. Continue Reading
“2020 was the year none of us could have imagined,” New York Times CEO Meredith Kopit Levien said, and noted “an unending hunger for relief from it all.” Some business relief came from the NYT’s podcast performance — that unit delivered $36M in revenue, up from $7M in 2019. “”We expect podcast revenue growth to be strong into 2021,” she predicted. Click through for much more. Continue Reading
Much, but not all, of the conversation in Spotify’s earnings call yesterday was about podcasting and the company’s investments. “We are very much still in the investment phase of Spotify,” Ek stated. He also explicitly targeted radio in the tradition of Pandora earning calls of the past: “The primary opportunity, as we think about the long-term is in the linear radio experience by moving online and into on-demand. That is the eye on the prize, the one that we are chasing.” Continue Reading
Acast is sending around a brag-worthy announcement that its programmatic ad sales for podcasting grew 215% last year. This disclosure might be viewed as validation of programmatic in an industry where ad revenue has historically been based on bespoke performances of commercials by hosts while recording the show. The company projects 10% of 2021 revenue will derive from programmatic.
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by Jeff Umbro
In this week’s column, The Podglomerate CEO Jeff Umbro rounds up recent earnings reports from Spotify, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and Amazon. (With stock charts.) A nice grab-bag of industry updates rounds out the issue. Oh, also a podcast recommendation. Continue Reading
Tru Optik, a TransUnion company, is announcing today a partnership with WideOrbit, the solutions provider for digital audio, broadcast, and TV. Tru Optik’s Data Marketplace will be integrated into WideOrbit’s Digital Suite to bring enhanced audience targeting to streaming radio and podcast advertising. Continue Reading
Jottings of note:
AIMP webinar today
Today at 5:30 ET: A webinar from AIMP — “TikTok to Record Deal: The Transition From Viral Fame to Recording Artist.” Register HERE.
Amazon podcasts >> Canada
Amazon launches podcasts to Canadian users of Amazon Music. Amazon launched podcasts in the UlSl in September. Read the RAIN review HERE.
Bill Clinton, podcaster
Bill Clinton is started a podcast for iHeartRadio called Why Am I Telling You This? With Bill Clinton. The ex-President will chat with celebrities from many fields. The first guest is Wynton Marsalis. LISTEN HERE.
— Wednesday, February 4 Continue Reading
Triton Digital is announcing today that Canada’s largest private, western-based broadcast group, The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, has become a Triton client for management, measurement, and monetization of its AM/FM online streams. The Pattison Group operates 45 FM stations and three AMs, along with three conventional TV stations and 17 online new portals in 28 markets. In all that there is a growing portfolio of podcasts. Continue Reading