Todd and Rob take a look at the statistics of show and episode production over the past 12 months. Based on pretty much all data the podcasting space still looks to be in a recession in new shows being created are still down, and episode production is slightly lower than 2022 to date. See the full summary below.

• They discussed AI tools like ChatGPT and how Todd has been experimenting with using it to generate show notes and summarize podcast transcripts. He found you need to be very explicit in prompts to get good results.
• They discussed the trend of podcast networks being required to use AI brand safety tools by advertisers and ad platforms. This puts pressure on creators to understand these tools.
• Other topics included Bloomberg adding bonus content for Apple Podcast subscribers; the Death, Sex and Money podcast from WNYC.
• The hosts experimented with asking ChatGPT to generate images based on prompts, with mixed results. They discussed how AI like ChatGPT, still has limitations.
• Todd emphasized creators should become experts in AI to remain competitive and understand how to use tools like ChatGPT effectively. He predicts AI will bring big changes in 3 years.
• They noted human stories and voices will still be valued alongside AI tools. The hosts plan to continue exploring AI impacts on new media.

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Podcast One’s Stock continues to go down. The question is how low can the stock go and if, at some point, there is a buying opportunity yet full of risk. But it’s a lousy omen of how far it’s dropped so far.

Show Summary: Todd talks about hosting the podcast awards ceremony on Saturday. They discuss computers and equipment needed for podcasting and video editing. Rob discusses upgrading his PC and workspace to improve his video editing capabilities. Todd advocates for Mac Minis as great bang-for-buck desktop computers.

Rob brings up predictions he saw that unknown, innovative podcasters doing great work under the radar will emerge. Todd agrees and says many of the shows nominated for the podcast awards were unknown to him but clearly successful.

They discuss recent podcast industry news, including:

• Canada regulating streaming podcasts making over $10 million?
• YouTube Music adding auto-download for podcasts
• More platforms adding AI features like Descript
• A new Shure SM7B microphone with built-in preamp
• PodcastOne stock price plummeting

They debate layoffs and high staff numbers at public radio stations like WNYC. They conclude by soliciting ideas for a new podcast theme and cover art. Todd shows examples of AI-generated images he’s used for past episodes.

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Once again, Google cannot get its podcast strategy straight and will pull the plug on Google Podcast sometime next year after achieving mild success and leaving the door open for Apple to create a viable Podcast App for Android.  Those screwed over will be the millions of Android users now having to find a podcast app. Plenty of great ones at PodcastApps.com, and of course, there is a list of Apps that work with SubscribeOnAndroid.com 

Show Summary:

• There is skepticism about whether YouTube Music will properly support podcasts since YouTube is built around video. It is unclear if they will ingest MP3 feeds or convert everything to Video.
• Apple does not currently have a podcast app for Android. With the demise of Google Podcasts on Android, Todd & Rob are concerned about podcasters losing listeners and the ability for Android users to subscribe easily.
• There was discussion around podcast statistics and ad analytics. Some in the industry feel there is fraud occurring with inflated download numbers. However, independent measurement can help validate numbers. Prompted by Todd, who got a mysterious email from an unknown group questioning certain podcast companies’ business practices around ads and payouts. They did not reveal details.
• The hosts talked about the importance of podcasters having control of their content and feeds. They should drive listeners back to their own websites.
• The hosts re-iterated that podcasting continues to be about creating authentic content and voices, even as AI tech evolve

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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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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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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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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.

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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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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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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