Month: August 2015

Spreaker Launches New Podcast Network

~ Shawn Thorpe

Spreaker LogoCarrying the tagline “All the on demand podcast audio shows you will Adore,” Adore is a new network recently launched by podcasting services provider Spreaker.  Self-described as “…a network of top-notched on demand podcast audio shows,” Adore is coming out of the gate strong with a lineup of eight podcasts:

  • Amateur Traveler
  • The Air-Raid Podcast
  • Evolver Show
  • Mark Levine’s Inside Scoop
  • The Jeff Adams Show
  • The Doug Stewart Show
  • The Sibling Rivalry
  • Spreaker Live Show

No word yet as to whether or not the Adore network will be adding more shows in the future. Regardless, this is an interesting move on behalf of Spreaker, who’s been very busy over the last year, amping up its social media presence and publishing podcast-related articles regularly on its blog. The company is definitely working hard to improve brand awareness in a space that’s becoming more crowded everyday.

Podcamp Pittsburgh X Reveals its Schedule

~ jen

Podcamp Pittsburg logoPodcamp Pittsburgh describes itself as “the most awesome thing in Pittsburgh”. It is a social new media “unconference” for seasoned podcasters as well as those who are brand new to podcasting. This year is the tenth year of the event.

Podcamp Pittsburgh X will take place on August 15 and 16, 2015. All are welcome, including podcasters, content creators, social media wizards, designers, builders, and anyone else who is interested in learning or sharing what they have learned. Registration is free.

They have released their official schedule that shows what sessions they will have and when each one will happen. They have a main room, a Room B, and a Room C, and there will be sessions happening in each one at the same time.

There are some sessions that are about podcasting. The “OG Podcasters Panel with Justin Kownacki” session involves a panel discussion with some of Pittsburgh’s longest running podcasters. They will discuss podcasting then, podcasting now, and podcasting future.

There is also an “Intro to Audio Podcasting” session that will primarily cover the basics and how-tos. This would obviously be a good session for people who recently started podcasting for the first time. I also think there could be information in it that seasoned podcasters had not considered.

The “Intro to Video Podcasting” session covers the basics and how-to’s of video podcasting. Those who have been doing an audio podcast for a long time, and who are interested in trying video podcasting, could learn something here.

A session called “Taking Your Podcast Live” covers topics that relate specifically to the things that can come up during a live podcast. They will discuss the importance of having a back up plan, in case something unexpectedly goes wrong (and other topics). Parents who podcast may want to check out the “Podcasting and Parenting” session. It focuses on how to take a parenting related problem or challenge and turn it into a profitable business.

Hubbard Radio takes 30% Ownership Stake in Podcast One

~ Shawn Thorpe

PodcastOne LogoSt. Paul, MN-based media company Hubbard Radio has taken a 30% ownership stake in PodcastOne, the podcasting network best known for its celebrity-driven shows. From a press release sent out earlier today:

The agreement maintains PodcastOne and parent company Courtside Entertainment Group’s independent control of all operations, as the network continues to expand its collection of more than 200 top-rated programs, delivering more than 400 million monthly impressions for advertisers. The network features many of America’s most popular podcasts, including Adam Carolla, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Austin, Dan Patrick, Chris Jericho, Penn Jillette, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Shawn and Larry King, Laura Ingraham, Dr. Drew, TheCHIVE, the newly launched Mark Schlereth podcast, plus WNYC’s Radiolab, Freakonomics and many more.

Hubbard Broadcasting operates a variety of media outlets, including radio/TV stations, a satellite TV network called ReelzChannel, and the F&F Productions company. It seems natural that a company this established in traditional media would want to get a piece of the growing new media market. PodcastOne has proven its ability to create shows with big names that generate large audiences.

The press release is peppered with the usual corporate-speak of “synergies” and “brand development.” Could this mean some of PodcastOne’s shows will also be heard on terrestrial radio or other outlets controlled by Hubbard? It’s too early on in this partnership to know for sure. But this news, along with last week’s announcement of Scipps buying Midroll proves that legacy media companies are starting to take podcasting seriously.

List of 2015 Academy of Podcasters Award Winners

~ Shawn Thorpe

Academy of Podcasters logThe first Academy of Podcasters Awards ceremony was held last night as part of Podcast Movement 2015. Here’s the list of winners:

  • Business: Smart Passive Income
  • Comedy: Comedy Bang Bang
  • Entertainment: The Incomparable
  • Food & Drink: The Feed
  • Games & Hobbies: Convert To Raid
  • Ideas & Education: Lexicon Valley
  • Lifestyle & Health: The Tim Ferris Show
  • Music & Commentary: Roadhouse
  • News & Politics: Brookings Cafeteria
  • Parenting, Family & Kids: The Longest Shortest Time
  • Science & Medicine: Stuff To Blow Your Mind
  • Society & Culture: 99% Invisible
  • Spirituality & Religion: Relevant Podcast
  • Sports: Jellen And Jacoby
  • Technology: Reply All
  • People’s Choice: 99% Invisible

With the exception of the People’s Choice award, winners were chosen by members of the Academy of Podcasters based on nominees that were selected earlier this year. The People’s Choice award was decided by a live online poll that took place during the awards ceremony.

Congratulations to all of the podcasters who received a trophy at this year’s awards!

Hat tip to Christopher Hutton for his coverage of Podcast Movement and the awards ceremony.

SoundCloud is Losing Money

~ jen

SoundCloud LogoWhen you think of SoundCloud, the thing that probably comes to mind first is music. In addition, there are quite a few podcasts that are hosted directly through SoundCloud. The 405 has reported that SoundCloud is losing money. What could this mean for the podcasters who have shows on SoundCloud – and nowhere else?

The 405 reports that “sources” and “insiders” are saying that SoundCloud is losing money. This isn’t just a dip in profits, either. It is a significant amount. Part of the problem appears to involve the big music labels. Sony and UMG have threatened to sue SoundCloud. WMG has reached some sort of deal with SoundCloud. In short, it seems that SoundCloud has been forced to spend money on lawyers.

One thing that could help SoundCloud is a subscription tier service. This is something that SoundCloud has previously announced. Cofounder and CTO of SoundCloud, Eric Wahlforss, confirmed that the subscription tier service would launch later in 2015.

So far, the cost involved with the subscription tier service has not been revealed. There is no way to know for certain if the subscription tier plan will be popular enough to improve SoundCloud’s financial situation.

What does this mean for podcasters who currently have their shows hosted on SoundCloud? If your podcast is only available on SoundCloud, now would be a good time to start migrating it over to somewhere else. Make a website for your show, post your episodes there, and connect with a good podcast hosting company. Doing so will prevent the problem of having all your podcast episodes disappear if SoundCloud ceases to exist.