What are the latest developments in the world of podcasts? The industry continues to grow and diversify, with new and exciting tech, deals, series and partnerships popping up every week. We’ve wrapped up the latest news and what they mean for the industry to feed your strategy for this highly immersive channel. Find out which Aussie duo just signed a lucrative deal with Spotify, the latest most popular podcasts ranked, who won at the British Podcast Awards and more below.
Australian podcasters sign exclusive, multimillion-dollar deal with Spotify
Australian podcasters Ryan Jon Dunn and Toni Lodge have signed a lucrative deal with global audio streaming platform Spotify.
The deal, believed to be a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract, positions the Melbourne-produced podcast Toni & Ryan in the Spotify “originals and exclusives” stable. Until now, hosting the podcast was a side hustle for both presenters.
This acquisition shows that anyone can make it as successful podcasters, with a commitment to a unique perspective. The duo also have worked hard to grow a social media following around the show.
More: Sydney Morning Herald
Australian podcast raker released
Triton Digital®, announced the release of the latest Australian Podcast Ranker. The Ranker provides insight into the Top 100 Podcasts as well as the Top 10 Publishers in Australia, as measured by Triton’s Podcast Metrics measurement service.
The top three podcasts for both the Top 100 Ranker and Top 100 All-Australian Ranker included (for June 2022) , Hamish & Andy (LiSTNR (SCA)), Casefile True Crime (Audioboom), and The Kyle & Jackie O Show (ARN/iHeartMedia).
This ranker provides valuable insight into the podcasts and podcast genres gaining high reach in the industry which can feed your media strategy.
More: Business Wire
Podcast listening on the up in Australia, says Edison Research
Monthly podcast listening hits 40% among Australians 18+, up from 37% in 2021
Weekly podcast listeners subscribe to an average of eight podcasts, and listen to an average of seven podcast episodes, per week. Weekly podcast listeners spend an average of seven hours and six minutes per week listening to podcasts, up from five hours in 2021
Smart speaker owners in Australia own an average of 2.0 devices
Weekly online audio listeners spend over 13 hours per week listening online
This research provides robust data to feed a media strategy and prove the growth and worth of the medium.
More: Edison Resarch
Voice of First Nations Australians in media
Nova’s latest podcast addition, Not So PG with Matty Mills and Brooke Blurton launched this month, with the first episode exploring both fun and serious topics to get the ball rolling. The show shares the experiences the pair never had the parental guidance for growing up, the challenges they face as Queer First Nations members.
This show is a step in the right direction for diverse representation in Australian media.
More: Radio Today
Spotify acquires Heardle, the popular music-based Wordle clone
Spotify announced that it has acquired Heardle, the music trivia game version of Wordle.
The music streaming platform said that purchasing Heardle — the cost of which Spotify declined to disclose — will help improve the discoverability of songs old and new. In other words, it will help players rediscover their old favorite hits and introduce them to new artists, as well as link them to their music on Spotify whether they guessed the songs correctly or not.
More: Digital Trends
You, Me and The Big C podcast wins top award in the British Podcast Awards
You, Me and the Big C, hosted by James, Lauren Mahon and the late Rachael Bland, focused on life with and the treatment of cancer.
The Podcast Champion award is given to a person or show that has broken new ground, using its platform to help grow communities.
Previous winners have included Helen Zaltzman and Fearne Cotton, as well as 'My Dad Wrote A Porno'.
More: BBC
All the winners: Radio Today
Resound raises $1.35M to automate podcast editing
Resound, a new editing app that automatically removes umms and ahhhs from your podcast, raised $1.35M in pre-seed funding.
“We’ve learned from first-hand experience how tedious, time-consuming, and frustrating editing your podcast can be. Many podcasters report it takes them three to four hours to edit a one-hour podcast,” said Jacob Bozarth, Resound’s Co-Founder and CEO.
The beta version of Resound will be released at the end of August.
More: Podnews
Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind Podcast will tell Harley's origin story from her perspective
Warner Bros. and DC Comics have announced their latest Joker-inspired podcast project with Spotify. It will feature actress Christina Ricci.The series will also star actor Billy Magnussen(“No Time to Di” and “The Many Saints of Newark”) as The Joker, with actor Justin Hartley (“This Is Us”) on board playing Bruce Wayne. The creators call it a “dark psychological thriller” that is being developed, written and directed by Eli Horowitz.
More: IGN
Mini-podcasting on the rise
Bite-sized audio snippets are helping podcasters reach a wider audience, as creators lean into the growing trend of ‘minute briefings’ and other mini-podcasts.
An app recently-launched in the U.S called Jam uses SMS to deliver short voice notes and podcasts.
More: Radio Today
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