

Podnews Weekly Review
James Cridland and Sam Sethi
The last word in podcasting news.Every Friday, James Cridland and Sam Sethi review the week's top stories from Podnews; and interview some of the biggest names making the news from across the podcast industry.Winner, "Best Podcasting Podcast", 2025 Ear Worthy AwardsSupport the show at https://weekly.podnews.net - or hit the boost button! Sponsored by Buzzsprout: start podcasting - keep podcasting!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2023 • 1h 16min
Exploring the 'Podfather' Adam Curry's Boostagram Ball: and the British Podcast Awards Controversy
(This was initially produced by Buzzsprout's AI)Join us on a thrilling exploration featuring none other than the 'Podfather' himself, Adam Curry. He pulls back the curtain on his groundbreaking podcast, Boostagram Ball, revealing the intricate dance of the music industry, and the essential role of an API for podcast developers. You'll get the skinny on how listeners can use the Lightning Network and Keysend to directly back their favorite artists. Intriguing, isn't it?Venture further with us as we navigate the choppy waters of the namespace, value block, and remote item. Discover their potential impact on artist payments and industry transparency, and the wizardry behind wallet switches that set Boost the Grand Ball apart. We'll also shed light on Amazon's new ad revenue scheme, Dave Wiener's interoperability concept, and the untapped potential of the Lightning Network.As we round off our journey, we'll look at the seismic shifts in the podcast industry, from the controversy around the British Podcast Awards to the latest industry acquisitions and layoffs. Hear straight from Jake Warren on the changes to the British Podcast Awards - and he's not happy.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jul 28, 2023 • 1h 15min
Spotify's financials, and Rebecca Sananès on her career and working with Harry and Meghan
(This episode description originally from Buzzsprout's AI service)This week, we unpack the rollercoaster ride of Spotify's stocks, despite their active users and subscribers climbing higher. We'll clue you in on the details of contracts being cut, massive staff layoffs and how it's all shaking up the podcast operations. The data-driven approach by Daniel Eck on Spotify's future strategy will surely make your ears perk up.We're bringing in an industry powerhouse, Rebecca Sananès, to share her inspiring journey. From a humble beginning in small-town Vermont to snagging a National Murrow Award, her story is a testament to perseverance and passion. We'll delve into her experiences, her views on the dynamic podcasting industry, and how she is using this platform to raise the voices of women and the marginalized. We also spark a debate on video vs podcasts, shedding light on the influence of giants like Netflix and YouTube on podcasting.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jul 21, 2023 • 1h 15min
Telling Media's Christiana Brenton and Georgie Holt; plus C-18 in Canada and Audioboom's results
Ever wonder how the world of international podcasting operates? Get ready to demystify it with us, as we delve into YouTube's global podcast expansion (or not, as the case may be). We'll be joined by the brains behind Telling Media, Christiana Brenton and Georgie Holt, who'll share their innovative performance marketing strategies and how they plan to disrupt the UK market to deliver better results for direct-to-consumer brands.The intriguing intricacies of podcasting don't end there. Tune in as we discuss the impact of unions, technophobes versus embracers, and government regulations like Canada's Bill C18 on the podcasting industry. Also, the power of performance marketing for clients, the importance of a podcast media agency, dazzling AI updates, head-turning Civility Scoring, and other major events shaking up the podcast industry. So, sit tight and join us on this rollercoaster ride through the dynamic universe of podcasting!Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

28 snips
Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 13min
Celebrating 20 Years of Podcasting with Rob Greenlee and Christopher Lydon
(This description produced by Buzzsprout's CoHost AI tool)Guess what? Podcasting is celebrating its 20th anniversary and I have the honor of discussing this milestone with none other than Rob Greenlee, one of the first podcasters in the world! Rob shares his views on the journey of podcasting, the role of commercialization and the significance of major companies in the industry. And there's more - we also get nostalgic about the genesis of podcasting with the pioneer himself, Christopher Lydon, who applauds podcasting as a platform for impactful discourse.Are you curious about the evolution of podcasting? Allow Rob to guide you through the remarkable transformation of this medium. From humble beginnings to the advent of high-quality audio and riveting content, and its emergence as an activist catalyst of change, we explore it all. We also probe the influence of mainstream media, the importance of independent voices, and the crucial role of trust in podcasting.Technology enthusiasts, hold tight for this one - we delve into the latest advancements in podcasting tools. Spotlight on AI-powered tools like Spot On and Adthos that have revolutionized commercial delivery and production. But wait, there's a twist! We express apprehensions about the use of voice cloning technology in enhancing listener engagement. Wrapping up, we introduce you to the novel idea of podcast location tagging by topic, alongside the advantages of utilizing OpenStreetMap IDs. So, tune in and take a leap into the future of podcasting!Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 16min
Libsyn's John W Gibbons, and Android's fragmentation
(This produced by Buzzsprout's CoHost AI tool)Leave a comment about this episode: https://podcastindex.social/@samsethi/110673314068746651Ever wonder how the world of podcasting is being reshaped by tech and AI? Join us as we dive into the intricacies of the podcasting industry, dissecting intriguing data from OP3 that highlights the dominance of Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Apple Core Media. We'll also discuss an astonishing revelation from an Acast study: 79% of podcast listeners are at ease with AI's expanding role in podcasting.The focus then shifts to the business side of podcasting with an exploration of Libsyn's transformative journey and expansion plans, in an interview with John W Gibbons. We'll touch on the challenges of maintaining a successful business, the culture that nurtures innovation, and the importance of strategic financial decision-making, as exemplified by Libsyn's Podcast 2.0 initiative and de-listing saga.Finally, we'll bring you the latest from the heavy hitters – Audible and Apple Podcasts. We'll discuss Audible's strategy behind labeling exclusive shows. Also, we'll provide a snapshot of the latest data from Buzzsprout's platform stats for June. So, whether you're a podcaster, a podcast enthusiast, or an industry insider, this episode is packed with insights and revelations that you won't want to miss. Listen in!Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

4 snips
Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 5min
Stitcher's Closure, and Naomi Mellor on the International Women's Podcast Awards
(This description mostly by Buzzsprout's CoHost AI)Are you ready to get the inside scoop on the world of podcasting? We're shedding light on the closure of Stitcher, a pioneering podcast app, and its ripple effects, particularly on listeners outside the US. We're venturing back to the app's beginnings, and its unique user experience. Sirius XM's future plans for the Stitcher brand also feature in our conversation. In the same breath, we turn our sights to the evolution of podcast advertising. Acast's new self-service platform is on the agenda, as is an in-depth analysis of Max Cutler's candid insights on the future of podcasting and his appeal for more resourceful shows. We're also highlighting the latest data on podcast consumption, with statistics from Australia, legal developments in New Zealand, and fresh research from Spain. Our discourse further extends to the latest events in the industry, featuring everything from MediaCorp's podcast talent hunt in Singapore to Daniel Ek's new role at Spotify. We won't leave out the exciting news on upcoming podcast awards. Buckle up for a fascinating journey into the ever-evolving world of podcasting.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jun 23, 2023 • 1h 3min
Spotify Supremium, Acast Plus Access, and Listener Habits
Ever wondered how Facebook fares in the podcast platform rankings? This week's episode is packed with the latest podcasting news, featuring discussions on Spotify's new Supremium tier, the redesigned desktop app, and their controversial partnership with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Join me, James Cridland, the editor of Pod News, and my co-host, Sam Sethi, CEO of Podfans, as we unravel the mysteries of podcast consumer behavior, explore Apple's enhanced search, and dive deep into Acast's launch of Acast Plus Access.We also shed light on some intriguing survey results that will change the way you think about podcast listeners' habits. Learn how Mags Creative's deal with CAA will impact the podcasting industry, discover German podcasting's secret sauce, and hear about an unusual investment made by the Australian Radio Network in a leading radio broadcaster and podcast maker. Our conversation is filled with insights and revelations to keep you informed and entertained.As we wrap up this episode, we discuss the potential of podcast verify and the Podcast Standards project. Get acquainted with podcastdata.org, a powerful new tool for analyzing podcast trends, and find out about exciting upcoming events like Podcast Movement in Denver and Podcast Day Asia in Kuala Lumpur. Don't miss out on this engaging and informative episode covering all the latest happenings in the podcasting world!Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jun 16, 2023 • 56min
with Skye Pillsbury - Spotify's Ad Analytics is launched, and Apple to kill value4value?
(The below is AI generated)What if you could access exclusive insights on the latest podcasting developments, straight from the industry's experts? Join us this week as we sit down with Skye Pillsbury, creator of the Squeeze newsletter, to uncover the most recent news in the podcasting world, including Spotify's exciting new Ad Analytics platform and a closer look at WNYC's recent challenges.Together with Skye, we explore podcast monetization with a focus on Spotify's efforts in Asia, as well as the implications of YouTube's entry into podcasting and Apple's policy on value for value podcasting 2.0. Don't miss our discussion on recent industry news such as Triton's ad booking platform, Spotify's investment in Saudi Arabian gaming podcast PodCamp, and the forthcoming Infinite Dial 2023 Australia report.As if that's not enough, we also touch on the potential of AI and chatbots in podcasting and share exciting details about upcoming events like Podcast Movement, Pod News Live, the British Podcast Awards, and the Independent Podcast Awards. Plus, we can't help but chat about our vacation plans, working from home, and the joys of long-haul flights. Get ready for an engaging and informative episode you won't want to miss!Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jun 9, 2023 • 1h 31min
Spotify Layoffs, AI-Powered Discovery, NYT Audio, and PodX/Listen Merger
What if you had insider access to the latest in podcasting news, trends, and expert insights? Look no further! This week, we bring you an action-packed episode featuring exclusive interviews with Mukul Devichand from the New York Times, Bradley Davis of PodChaser, Josh Adley of Listen, and Staffan Rossell of PodX. Together, we dissect the impact of Spotify's job cuts, their exclusive content strategy, and explore the future of podcasting.Curious about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing podcast discovery? Learn how Podchaser's Collections+ leverages AI and machine learning to help listeners find their perfect podcast match. We also dive into Apple's latest updates to their podcast app, enhancing user experience and setting new records for podcast downloads.But wait, there's more! Discover how PodX's acquisition of Listen, a London-based audio production company, is shaking up the podcasting industry. Hear from Josh and Steffan on the specifics of the deal, their mission to empower podcast creators, and the future of podcast production. Don't miss this opportunity to stay in the know on the ever-evolving world of podcasting. Tune in now!Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Jun 2, 2023 • 1h 28min
Gaslighting the Industry: Big Names Support, AI Transformations, and RSS Feed Frustrations
(The title, description and transcript are by Buzzsprout's AI tools. The chapter marks were manual - J)Are you ready to tackle the controversial topic of gaslighting in the podcast industry? This week, we discuss the actions of major players like Google, Apple, and Spotify, and examine their lack of support for the wider podcast community. We also share our thoughts on the recent Podcast Show in London and the disappointment surrounding YouTube's RSS ingest trial.We don't shy away from discussing the inadequate financial support provided by big names like Apple and Spotify. Join us as we question Apple's secretive approach to supporting events and their reluctance to provide API access for content creators. We also dive into the role of the Podcast Standards Group and their lack of action in challenging these issues and promoting diversity within the industry.Finally, we explore the transformative potential of AI in podcasting, with a focus on Ausha's AI-powered platform and Buzzsprout's Co-host AI feature. Learn about the benefits of AI-generated titles, descriptions, and chapter markers, as well as the importance of partnering with third-party companies for these services. Don't miss this insightful episode as we navigate the complex landscape of the podcast industry and share our thoughts on these pressing issues.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net