Is the 1 Minute Podcast Measurement Standard to Short? #557

September 20, 2023InformationTodd Cochrane

In some recent interviews Todd has been on, he has asked if the 1-minute minimum measurement standard used in Podcasting is too short. Should it be longer, or should there be higher qualifying standards on a listen/download? This likely would not be a popular idea, but he wonders if there needs to be a change. A rundown of the podcast follows below.

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Show Summary: Podcast Mirror was recently relaunched to enable podcasters to access podcasting 2.0 features like value-for-value, even if their central hosting platform does not support the new specs. It allows podcasters on “non-compliant” hosts to have a standards-compliant feed with features like live streaming. We discuss how Podcast Mirror can intervene in meals to duplicate and add 2.0 functionality while keeping existing content intact. This also aids transitions between podcast hosts. We discuss future adoption levels. If there’s wider adoption, the relaunch of Podcast Mirror aims to allow more podcasters to access podcasting 2.0 abilities through feed transformation and enhancement.

We reflect on the early challenges of podcasting before hosting platforms like Libsyn emerged. Hosting podcasts used to be very expensive, often costing thousands monthly for servers and bandwidth. This motivated building audience size to cover costs. In the early days, many podcasters were anti-commercialization and reluctant to take on sponsors. This was about an article written by Steve Goldstein on the Three eras of Podcasting.

We discuss developments in AI like DALL-E 3 and how it could help generate podcast art by integrating text and images more seamlessly integration of DALL-E 3 into ChatGPT.

We cover Sony Music pulling back on podcasting spend, attributing it to declining ad revenue. The paradox of podcasting being hot for listeners but declining as a business was discussed

We cover PodcastOne going public recently, opening around $4 but dropping rapidly to about $2. They speculated this reflected unrealistic valuations and would be hard to recover from.

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Snarky Podcast News

September 6, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

Todd and Rob talk about our favorite topic, RSS, in podcasting and go over the latest Podcast News, and somehow, the show ends up being one of the most snarky episodes we have created in some time. Sorry, some of these latest news reports are beyond obvious, and I hope no one is paying good money to learn some of the things we talk about today.

We kick off joking about Rob hosting solo last week and Todd returning from a break. The conversation then turns to key takeaways from the recent Podcast Movement conference, including Blubrry picking up substantial new network business leads.

Transitioning to podcasting news, they critique a recent Nielsen report on podcast listening growth. The discussion moves to advertising trends, with Todd sharing that multiple companies privately confessed business was flat over the last quarter, contrasting the publicly optimistic outlook.

Additional topics include platforms like Spotify overpaying for episodes, competing for exclusivity, and trying to expand into podcasting with minimal growth, diminishing podcast publishing numbers, companies struggling to meet payments owed to podcasters, and more M&A activity shaking up the industry.

Throughout the episode, Todd and Rob take an honest, straightforward perspective, business challenges, and changes in the podcasting landscape. They emphasize the importance of maintaining control and the value of open RSS standards.

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Deirdre Tshien, CEO of AI Company Capsho

September 2, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

The New Media Show recently had an insightful discussion between host Rob Greenlee and guest Deirdre Tshien, CEO of AI-powered podcast post-production platform CapShow, about the future of artificial intelligence in podcasting and important issues like free speech and content moderation. They also discuss Podcast Movement and the insights of the show.

Key highlights from their wide-ranging conversation:

Podcast Movement brings together a community of podcasters for an annual reunion and bonding experience. Longtime attendees enjoy catching up with friends while new faces join each year as the industry evolves.
The enthusiasm and welcoming nature of the podcasting community were noted by many first-time Podcast Movement attendees this year. Podcasting retains a spirit of collaboration despite growing commercialization.
However, Deirdre didn’t see anything that truly blew her mind or seemed highly innovative. In just the past year since CapShow launched, AI capabilities have already advanced significantly and become more commonplace.
This year, Podcast Movement added “brain dates” – small group discussions on specialized topics that fostered meaningful networking. Both Deirdre and Rob participated in brain dates.
The intersection of podcasting and live video was discussed, as platforms like StreamYard sponsor and attend Podcast Movement. Some friction exists around whether video belongs in podcasting.
Overall, Podcast Movement continues to be a vital community-building event for the podcast industry. It offers opportunities for creators at all levels to learn, connect, and glimpse the latest innovations.
AI is having a huge impact on the podcasting industry. New AI tools are emerging for automated editing, content recommendations, and even generating synthetic voices. But we must thoughtfully balance leveraging AI while preserving the “humanness” that builds audience connections.

There are generational differences in how podcasting is perceived – while older generations see it as audio-only content distributed via RSS, younger generations view it more broadly as on-demand audio/video content from multiple platforms. This is driving rapid growth but also some friction in the industry.
The crowds and community at events like Podcast Movement make them special reunions and bonding experiences for podcasters. But there is also an influx of new faces as the industry evolves.
Concerns were raised about the implications of AI like deepfakes and synthetic media. We may need disclaimers about AI-generated content to maintain trust. But there was also excitement about the possibilities like automating podcast creation.
An in-depth discussion on free speech and content moderation spurred by new legislation worldwide raised questions about protecting speech versus preventing harm. The role of journalism and the dangers of suppressing dissenting voices were highlighted.
The future promises continued waves of innovation in podcasting workflows and AI assistance. But hosts should thoughtfully consider their creative integrity as more powerful automation capabilities emerge.

This thought-provoking episode touched on multiple essential trends shaping the podcasting medium while offering insights from both creator and tech company perspectives. There are undoubtedly exciting opportunities ahead, but we must mitigate risks as podcasting continues maturing.

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Podcast Movement 2023

August 24, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee bring you the New Media Show live from Podcast Movement 2023 with guests James Cridland of Podnews and Anne Kavanagh, the new CEO of Ossa. We spent just over an hour talking about the podcasting space—everything from Acquisitions, AI, RSS and the battle between open and closed platforms. We discuss how the area will change over the next couple of years.

The show summary is as follows:

The recent acquisition of Squadcast by Descript – indicates consolidation in the podcast industry with tools merging. Also shows the convergence of audio and video in podcasting.
Importance of video in podcasting – varying opinions on whether it is essential. Video can help attract audiences from one platform to another.
YouTube’s upcoming entry into podcasting – will accept RSS feeds in the YouTube Music app. It could help podcasters get content on YouTube without needing video.
The tension between large platforms like Spotify and the open RSS ecosystem. Podcasters should consider audience privacy when choosing services.
Open Podcast Standards project – seeking to extend the capabilities of RSS to benefit podcasters and listeners and trying to get large platforms to adopt new namespaces.
Pod fading – around 50% of new podcasters stop by episode 7. Hard to keep consistency and passion. It’s a good time now for new shows as competition drops.
Monetizing shows – in many ways, like ads, V4V listener patronage, and driving business. You don’t need a huge audience.
International growth – Markets like Europe and Middle East will see more growth—different expectations outside the US.
AI and podcasting – more consolidation of AI tools into platforms is expected. It can help with tasks, not content. Unique human voices will still be valued.

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How to Run a Successful YouTube Channel and Podcast!

August 16, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

Stephanie Arakelian joins Todd and Rob from the Impact Theory Podcast and YouTube channel. She is a podcast marketing and audience development specialist with the team. We discuss what it takes to have a successful Podcast and YouTube channel in the first of-its-kind interview we have done here at the New Media Show.

The episode opens with Todd and Rob welcoming Stephanie to the show. They note that it is rare for a brand to find significant success on both YouTube and podcasting, so they are interested in hearing about Impact Theory’s approach. They also discuss the Descript acquisition of Squadcast.

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Descript – Squadcast Acquisition

Todd sees the acquisition as a strategic move for Descript. It will allow creators to record, edit, and distribute podcasts to platforms like Blubrry all within one platform. Rob notes that Descript has been focused on getting more content creators into their platform. Buying Squadcast expands its capabilities for recording and distributing podcasts. Todd thinks it puts companies trying to build standalone podcast platforms like Riverside.fm at a disadvantage. The merged Descript-Squadcast offering provides an integrated end-to-end solution.

They discuss how the acquisition could impact other podcast creation tools like Zencastr if more platforms consolidate features. Overall, Todd sees it as a brilliant move to streamline podcast production and distribution in one place. Rob agrees it completes the workflow for Descript.

Building a Successful YouTube Channel and Podcast

Stephanie shares that Impact Theory started on YouTube, building a massive audience there. The podcast launched about six months later. She explains that they intentionally keep the YouTube and podcast content separate, with different episode titles, formatting, release cadence, etc., tailored for each platform. This allows them to optimize growth based on unique algorithms and audience behaviors.

The hosts dive into various factors that influence success on YouTube versus podcasts. They discuss the importance of timely topics, thumbnail images, and brevity for YouTube. Podcasts allow for longer-form content. Stephanie notes that their podcast episodes are typically 1-1.5 hours long compared to 2-3 hours on YouTube.

The Difference in Platform Engagement

The group explores the differences in community building and engagement between the platforms. Stephanie notes that YouTube lends itself to more impersonal comments, while podcasting develops deeper intimacy between host and listener. She stresses making audio listeners feel valued, not just an afterthought.

Monetization and advertising also vary greatly. YouTube relies more on high volume at lower CPMs, while podcasting commands higher ad rates. Stephanie discusses how they price-integrated deals across both platforms accordingly.

Threats of de-platforming arise, with Todd noting some conservative podcasters he knows being banned from YouTube. The hosts agree creators must diversify and control their distribution for long-term viability.

As the platforms continue evolving, Stephanie emphasizes being ready to adapt and tweak strategies constantly. She believes agility is key to riding out the ongoing changes in media consumption. Even hosting this podcast discussion on YouTube and audio is an experiment in optimization.

Tricks to Analyze Your Podcast Data

Other topics covered include using AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Code Interpreter for things like show notes, content summaries, and data analysis. Todd shares how he used Code Interpreter to analyze millions of rows of voting data for the Podcast Awards.

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Using off the Shelf AI Tools for Podcast Production

August 9, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

AI Tools for Content Creation

Much of the podcast discussion focused on how Todd has been experimenting with AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT & Midjourney to help streamline his content post-production workflow. He discussed using AI to generate titles, summaries, keywords, and other metadata for his show notes. While noting that the AI output still requires significant human editing, Todd talked about how these tools have allowed him to significantly expand show notes and metadata to provide more value for search engines.

This led to a broader conversation about how search is changing with the rise of large language models like Google’s LaMDA and Bing. Todd and Rob discussed how content creators must optimize their show notes for these new language models to ensure their content is discoverable and ranks well in future search results. They discussed how this requires focusing on long-form, in-depth content with extensive metadata, summaries, and transcripts.

Podcast Advertising and Acast

Switching topics, the hosts discussed recent news around podcast advertising and Acast. They analyzed Acast’s recent financial results showing growing revenues but continued losses, questioning how it is still unprofitable given its sizable ad revenues. This led to a debate around digital audio ad rates, profit margins, and the challenges of scaling host-read podcast ads.

Daily vs. Weekly Podcast Publishing Cadences

Later in the show, Todd and Rob discussed the grueling nature of daily podcast publishing. They debated the viability of shows that publish daily or multiple times per week, noting the production demands and risk of podcaster burnout. This tied back to the news that the Sounds Profitable podcast was shifting to a daily cadence. The hosts were skeptical that a daily schedule was sustainable long-term for most podcast producers.

Podcast Movement Conference

As the upcoming Podcast Movement conference approached, Todd and Rob discussed their plans to attend and record The New Media Show live. They also discussed other happenings and events around Podcast Movement, including sessions, networking events, and vendor exhibits.

Podcast Apps and Value for Value

Throughout the episode, Todd and Rob highlighted podcast apps like Fountain and Podverse that enable value-4-value transactions through Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. They encouraged listeners to try out these new apps and offered up some Satoshis for those that tried the new modern podcast appsl.

Conclusion

In summary, Todd and Rob covered many pressing topics related to new media, podcasting, AI, and the industry’s ongoing evolution. Please check out all the new Podcast Apps at PodcastApps.com that support Podcast 2.0 initiatives. You can also boost the show V4V and have your boost read live, the easiest way to keep the podcast.

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AI Discriminates Against Black Podcasters #551

August 2, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

Todd and Rob discuss the news that an AI suitability tool has discriminated against black podcasters in only what can be described as a told-you-so moment that we have discussed on this show in the past and is a watershed moment that should make podcasters pause. It raises the question does Urban One podcast network have a case against the company that caused 92% of their shows to be demonetized?

Much of the discussion focused on artificial intelligence and its growing impact on media. As AI tools become more advanced, they are used to generate massive volumes of content like blog posts and articles. Todd pointed out how this could decrease trust in the AI-created range in the future.

The human perspective shared through podcasts, videos, and live events may become more valued. However.

Regarding podcasting industry trends, Todd and Rob noted that podcast episode publishing has declined as some creators have pulled back. However, the audience reach of the remaining shows continues to grow. They also discussed upcoming podcast support features from platforms like TikTok and expanding kids’ audiences.

Regarding monetization, the hosts discussed how economic conditions have led some sponsors to scale back podcast advertising spending this year. However, other opportunities like micropayments and cryptocurrency donations remain vital areas of interest and innovation—that and much much more.

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Deep Dive with Sam Sethi #550

July 31, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

Rob Greenlee and Sam Sethi have an in-depth discussion about new monetization models for podcasting, including micropayments, the value for value model, and using satoshis. They talk about platforms like Podfans that allow listeners to support shows via small payments, as well as broader industry initiatives like Podcasting 2.0.

Sam gives an overview of the value for value concept – podcasters set a value for their content, and listeners can pay that amount or adjust it up or down depending on what they feel the content is worth. This is facilitated by micropayments using Bitcoin’s smallest unit, satoshis.

Sam explains how his platform Podfans implements value for value using satoshi micropayments. Listeners pay per minute as they listen to episodes, rather than a flat subscription fee upfront. This gives listeners more control and transparency over what they pay.

They discuss some of the challenges around getting people used to using digital wallets and transacting in satoshis. The process can still be complex for average listeners. However, Sam argues that with time and exposure, satoshi micropayments can become as ubiquitous as sending an email.

Rob and Sam explore how value for value relates to Bitcoin and some of the controversy around cryptocurrencies. They agree there is still friction from governments who may see Bitcoin as a threat to state-controlled currencies and transactions.

The conversation shifts to how the podcasting industry can better market these new standards like Podcasting 2.0 namespaces. Sam argues the Podcast Standards Project needs more momentum and leadership to drive adoption. He suggests versioning namespaces like “2.0, 2.01, 2.02” as a way to differentiate apps supporting the newest standards.

They discuss whether big platforms like Twitter could potentially accelerate adoption if they build in support for micropayments and podcasting standards into their apps.

Overall the episode covers the promise but also difficulties around getting micropayments and value for value models adopted at scale across the podcast industry. But both agree it represents an important shift in podcast monetization.

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Growing Audience with Lisa Laporte, CEO, TWIT.tv #549

July 24, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

Lisa Laporte, CEO of TWIT.tv, and Rob Greenlee, Co-host of New Media Show, have a discussion about Video and Audio Podcasting and its history and where it is now, and where it is going. We also discuss the complex Podcast Advertising Market and YouTube Music with Podcasts that are video only and future support for Audio. Many other topics were discussed, like flying cars and other topics about This Week In Tech Network’s Club TWIT Subscription and Marketing strategies to grow podcast and YouTube audiences.

Our guest, Lisa LaPorte, has been involved in the podcasting industry for 15-16 years. She discusses the evolution of podcasting, noting how it has grown from being audio-only to incorporating video. Lisa and the Rob discuss the changes in the medium, including the rise of video content and platforms like YouTube and TikTok. They also talk about the future of content creation, predicting an increase in independent contractors entering the new media space. The conversation shifts to the topic of advertising in podcasts. Lisa explains the advertising model of her network, Twit, which includes host-read ads within the content of their shows. She also discusses their recent partnerships for dynamic ad insertion in their audio content.

Throughout the conversation, the speakers reflect on the evolution of podcasting, the impact of technology, and the future of the industry. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by advertising and monetization in podcasting.

1. How has the evolution of technology impacted the podcasting industry?
2. What are the pros and cons of different advertising models in podcasting?
3. How might the rise of independent contractors change the landscape of content creation?

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State of Podcast Trade Shows #548

July 12, 2023PodcastTodd Cochrane

The excitement is palpable as we gear up for next month’s Podcast Movement event, traditionally the Mecca for podcast enthusiasts and professionals worldwide. Despite the tough economy for trade shows, there’s an air of anticipation, underpinned by a curious blend of optimism and anxiety. With only four keynote speakers announced so far, it seems the event is taking a distinct path this year. Perhaps this indicates a shift in strategy, a move towards quality over quantity, or a nod to the changing times. Looking over the exhibitor list, most companies are back this year, and their corporate support remains strong. We will try to get a team member on the show in the coming weeks.

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