The trade organization AudioUK has released a detailed document containing guidelines for producing audio safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 27-page paper covers details like workspace cleaning and protective equipment, in addition to strategic production challenges of producing audio while observing social distance guidelines. Click through for a link. Continue Reading
In a dramatic adjustment to COVID-era realities, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has planned a different sort of Podcast Upfront than in past years. First, it will be online-only. Second, it will transpire over three days rather than one day. Third, there will be more than 20 presenters, instead of 8-10 as in the past. Click through for dates, list of presenters, and other details. Continue Reading
“It was almost inevitable,” says Ediron Research Director of Research Laura Ivey. “We will have to wait to see if the numbers revert more closely to what they were before the disruptions.” Ivey is talking about the shares of listening on digital devices and traditional linear devices. In Q2, according to the ongoing Share of Ear study conducted by Edison, digital devices claimed 53% of listening among Americans 13 years old and up. Click through for details and definitions. Continue Reading
Tenderfoot TV, which produces for television, film, and podcasting, is partnering with iHeartMedia in an agreement that will create nine original shows for the iHeartRadio Original Podcasts division. The upcoming podcast slate will focus on limited series as well as several weekly shows, a new strategy for Tenderfoot TV, who has garnered over 500 million downloads for its true crime hits since the company’s launch in 2016. Some of the collaborative shows will be completely new; the two companies will also co-produce new seasons of existing shows. Continue Reading
Audioboom released information about its finances for the first half of 2020 in a blog post. The document, signed by CEO Stuart Last, contains the main bullet points at the top, followed by interesting discussions of various aspects of the podcast industry, COVID-19, Audioboom’s partnerships, and more finances at the bottom. Revenue increased 20% year-over-year. EBIDTA loss was trimmed. Continue Reading
In a two-way press release from Westwood One, Magellan AI is announcing an expansion of its podcast insights service. Westwood One, already a subscriber, is expanding its buy-in to take advantage of the broader service. The company’s scope covers 22,000 podcasts and millions of ads. Continue Reading
Songtradr, the digital music distribution and synch licensing platform, has hired Virginie Berger in the role of VP, Rights Management. Berger made the announcement on LinkedIn. She will will lead Songtradr’s Rights Administration platform and manage relationships with PROs, CMOs, and other key industry leaders, and will work across Songtradr’s many offices in four continents. Continue Reading
Stream listening rose 4% in May compared to April, thanks mostly to a two percent bump in Pandora listening during the month. In recent months we have observed public radio entities in Triton’s list gaining in stream listening during the COVID period of March and April. The May numbers show a sudden drop-off. Continue Reading
Acast is announcing the Acast Marketplace Virtual Storefront. It is a self-service campaign planning tool which gives advertisers and agency buyers a way to browse podcasts and their targeting characteristics, before engaging the Acast sales team. The Virtual Storefront gives the buyer more hands-on control than previously. Click through for a screenshot. Continue Reading
Pod Drop features new and returning podcasts. Today — A TV show history involving the whole cast, how historical figures dealt with epidemics, and a show about forgiveness. Continue Reading
by Jeff Umbro
In this week’s column, Podglomerate CEO Jeff Umbro offers observations and insights from the podsphere, including Stitcher, Apple, and Audible. Then, a conversation with Matt Saunders about intellectual property in podcasting, from trademarks to music licensing. Click through for much more in this content-rich column. Continue Reading
Spotify knows a magnetic star when it sees one. Last month, Joe Rogan. today, Michelle Obama. The audio platform has signed the former First Lady and memoir author for a conversational podcast that promises real-life inspiration. In the trailer (listen below) Obama plans to speak with members of her inner circle to start, then expand outward. Click through to hear the trailer. Continue Reading