In-App Ratings
ACAST's podcast app now allows listeners to rate podcasts within the app. The functionality is available for all Android and iOS users. Since launching the ratings option earlier this month, over 45,000 in-app ratings have been posted for 9,000 shows.
SVP/Content SUSIE WARHURST said, "After offering our ratings feature in a beta version of the app, we launched it officially and have been blown away by the adoption among our users. Ratings provide invaluable feedback for our creators and we're glad to be able to offer them an additional touchpoint with their audiences."
Now On Radio, Too
The "PROMOTION MAN" podcast is celebrating its first anniversary by joining the lineup at WATERLOO MEDIA Rock KLBJ-F/AUSTIN. The show, telling tales of Classic Rock, is co-hosted by former WARNER BROS. RECORDS and VIRGIN RECORDS promo man FRED MEYERS and KLBJ-F PD and morning personality LA LLOYD; it will air on SUNDAYS 6-7p (CT) beginning SEPTEMBER 6th with plans to syndicate the show to other markets.
MEYERS said, “All through my life, these stories always fascinated anyone I was telling them to. When you can say you’ve had U2 in your car, or you took VAN HALEN to MCDONALD’S, or shook BOB MARLEY’s hand after figuring out a way to keep the pot smoke away from the security guards, or being with the DOOBIE BROTHERS in a local HOLIDAY INN where they took the stage over hours after playing in front of 15,000 fans. These are the stories people love to hear and I have so many to tell.”
WORK X WORK, the agency that produces the ON AIR FEST podcast events in BROOKLYN and LOS ANGELES, is holding an upfront event for independent podcast networks.
THE X FRONTS, a six-hour virtual event streaming on SEPTEMBER 24th and sponsored by podcast advertising network ADVERTISECAST, will include indies like CROOKED MEDIA, TALKHOUSE, KAST MEDIA, WONDER MEDIA NETWORK, HEADGUM, QCODE, and DCP ENTERTAINMENT. SIMPLECAST, MAGELLAN AI, and AdsWIZZ will also offer industry insights and trends sessions, with additional performances to be announced.
“We believe in the power of indie. In uncertain times like these, fresh voices and new leaders will guide the way” said WORK X WORK Founder/Creative Dir. SCOTT NEWMAN. “We are thrilled to provide a showcase where brands and buyers can experience the next big thing.”
Register at www.thexfronts.com.
Rift With Spotify?
JOE BUDDEN told listeners to his podcast that "THE JOE BUDDEN PODCAST" will no longer be a SPOTIFY exclusive as of SEPTEMBER 23rd.
The show has been on SPOTIFY for the last two years; thanking his listeners and telling anyone looking for the usual jokes to fast forward, he said that he has "seven episodes left" and that "SEPTEMBER 23rd, I cannot tell you where this podcast will be, but as it stands I can tell you where it will not be, and that is SPOTIFY. I know, I know, you guys... whoa, the backlash, the questions, 'how could this be? You were number one!'"
In a long, detailed discussion of the show's history with SPOTIFY, BUDDEN offered his perspective on the split as his contract comes to an end, saying that the show, which had been with MIDROLL MEDIA before going exclusive with SPOTIFY, had grown to 900% of SPOTIFY's expectations ("day one, the site crashed") while the company thought AMY SCHUMER's podcast would "blow up," but he had not received cash bonuses nor holidays off. He indicated that he and the company differ on podcasting's future and what podcasts are worth.
Another 'Dance'
The NBA is teaming with AMAZON's AUDIBLE and MALCOLM GLADWELL and JACOB WEISBERG's PUSHKIN INDUSTRIES to produce a 10-part podcast on MICHAEL JORDAN and the CHICAGO BULLS' dynasty in a follow-up to ESPN's hit documentary "THE LAST DANCE." "BEYOND THE LAST DANCE" will be hosted by JA ADANDE and former BULLS player BJ ARMSTRONG and will debut AUGUST 31st.
“The NBA is proud to team up with AUDIBLE and PUSHKIN INDUSTRIES for BEYOND THE LAST DANCE, which marks an exciting new venture for the league,” said NBA SVP/Global Media Distribution & Business Affairs DAVID DENENBERG. “As we continue to reimagine our content and storytelling about our teams, players and history, BEYOND THE LAST DANCE serves as a stepping stone as we pursue new opportunities in podcasting.”
"THE LAST DANCE" was a major event for ESPN, attracting an average of 5.6 million viewers in the early weeks of the pandemic and becoming the network's most-watched documentary.
Mondays
ENTERCOM’s PINEAPPLE STREET STUDIOS has debuted a new weekly pop culture podcast with former BUZZFEED "ANOTHER ROUND" co-host TRACY CLAYTON and producer JOSH GWYNN. "BACK ISSUE" is a look at formative moments in pop culture; the first episode was posted MONDAY (8/24) with an episode delving into TYRA BANKS and "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL," and ne episodes will post on MONDAYS through NOVEMBER 30th.
“A little nostalgia can go a long way when the current day is bleak!” said CLAYTON, most recently host of NETFLIX podcast "STRONG BLACK LEGENDS" and MAILCHIMP's branded-content podcast "GOING THROUGH IT." “I love the creative process that’s gone into making BACK ISSUE, and the fun of doing it with JOSH and PINEAPPLE STREET. It’s hard to find a space to take a break from stress right now, and I hope the show serves as a source of laughter and relief as we revisit these iconic moments in pop culture history. I can’t end climate change or make the world live in harmony, but if I can give listeners a smile or some temporary peace, I feel like I’m contributing something to them and to myself.”
“When I was given the opportunity to make Back Issue with my PINEAPPLE STREET family, I was beside myself. I love working with TRACY, and I’ve been thinking about nostalgia as a way to protect yourself and make it through hard times -- in a world where it feels like you have so little control over so few things, sometimes taking a second to revisit moments that brought you joy can give you the recharge you need to face the day,” said GWYNN. “Pop culture is usually treated so trivially, but there’s a reason these moments stick with us, a reason that meme culture exists, a reason that things live beyond their production run. I wanted a space where we can treat our formative moments with the care that they deserve, and I hope that the show gives listeners a place to escape to and a place where we can laugh and remember how to be joyous.”
TULANE UNIVERSITY sports are moving from iHEARTMEDIA's WODT-A/NEW ORLEANS, which recently flipped from Sports to the all-News BLACK INFORMATION NETWORK, to iHEARTMEDIA sister Adult Hits KVDU (104.1 THE SPOT)/NEW ORLEANS. THE SPOT will air GREEN WAVE football and men's basketball from rightsholder LEARFIELD IMG COLLEGE's TULANE SPORTS PROPERTIES; women's basketball and baseball will continue on RADIO FOR THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED noncommercial radio reading service station WRBH, while coaches' shows for football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball will be part of the athletic department's "THE CURRENT" podcast.
"We are excited to expand our radio network coverage throughout SOUTHERN LOUISIANA," said TULANE Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations JANA WOODSON. "Providing the best possible coverage of TULANE Athletics on our radio platforms and streaming services is more important than ever. We look forward to a great partnership this upcoming year."
Play-by-play voice ANDREW ALLEGRETTA added, "The coverage that KVDU 104.1 THE SPOT provides will give our fans more access to TULANE Athletics over radio throughout the year. There is significant momentum right now surrounding TULANE Athletics, and it's so important that we have our fans with us for every memorable moment."
McAfee (Photo: ESPN)
The rumors have become reality as PAT MCAFEE announced TODAY (8/26) that his radio show, leaving CBS SPORTS RADIO after FRIDAY's show (8/28), will be heard on SIRIUSXM RADIO starting SEPTEMBER 8th.
Video streaming of the show will continue on YOUTUBE, where the television version of the show has resided since leaving DAZN.
ð£ TEAM
Good news.. The show will be moving to 12-3pm EDT on @SIRIUSXM starting September 8th #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/wb2BGLyiLm
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 26, 2020
MCAFEE's place in the CBS SPORTS RADIO lineup has been taken by BILL REITER, a former host on the network who is returning to take MCAFEE's 10a-noon (ET) slot on MONDAY (8/31). "'REITER THAN YOU' is back and we couldn’t be happier,” said ENTERCOM NEW YORK and CBS SPORTS RADIO SVP MARK CHERNOFF. “BILL’s insights, opinions and observations are emblematic of the premier content that CBS SPORTS RADIO offers loyal sports fans."
Patrick
iHEARTMEDIA has inked DAN PATRICK to a deal to launch THE DAN PATRICK PODCAST NETWORK. The new agreement will spawn a slate of podcasts for iHEARTRADIO co-produced by PATRICK, his representative WORKHOUSE MEDIA, and iHEARTRADIO. PATRICK hosts his radio show for iHEARTMEDIA's PREMIERE NETWORKS/FOX SPORTS RADIO.
Three new podcasts are leading off the slate, including a series on the competition between the LAKERS and CLIPPERS in LOS ANGELES, “THE BATTLE FOR L.A.,” being developed for television and film by producer MICHAEL SUGAR’s SUGAR23; “TWO GUYS FROM HOLLYWOOD” (subtitled “We Don’t Dish, We Serve”), with agent ALAN NEVINS and celebrity chef JOEY SANTOS; and actors JEFF MEACHAM and JOEL JOHNSTONE’s “MEETING TOM CRUISE.”
"Who doesn’t love a great story!," said PATRICK. “I love that I can introduce great storytellers through my partnership with iHEARTRADIO. CONAL BYRNE and his team have been outstanding in helping us pull together our launch slate of podcasts in sports and entertainment. I’m also thrilled that one of them, ‘THE BATTLE FOR L.A,’ is already partnered for television and film with first-in-class, Oscar-winning MICHAEL SUGAR and his phenomenal team at SUGAR23. I promise nobody is going to be bored with these shows.”
“At SUGAR23, we pride ourselves on telling impactful stories, and couldn’t think of better partners to bring those stories to life than DAN and the incredible team at iHEARTRADIO,” said SUGAR. “We’re excited to be in business with these amazing creators, who will continue to bolster our ability to be storytellers in any medium.”
“We couldn’t be happier to work with a legendary broadcaster like DAN PATRICK,” said iHEARTPODCAST NETWORK Pres. CONAL BYRNE. “iHEARTRADIO is dedicated to offering a wide variety of programming that connects with and engages audiences across all genres. This is an exciting partnership, and we look forward to introducing this new slate of podcasts with many more to come!”
Coming 9/1
A new podcast from INSIDE VOICES looks at the trials of in vitro fertilization and the difficult path some people face in becoming parents. "IVFU" is hosted by singer/songwriter/"THE MOTH" storyteller SAM SHABER, who herself is trying to have a child through surrogacy. The show debuts SEPTEMBER 1st.
SHABER said, “I created this podcast to invite people to share their stories, their struggle and their resilience through it all. IVFU definitely isn’t sappy or maudlin, it’s more about the raw space that’s created by infertility, where sometimes you just have to laugh. Or vent. Or drink wine and eat chocolate. We do all of that on this pod.
“When you have a connection based on shared experience, amazing things can happen.”
WESTWOOD ONE PODCAST NETWORK and IMPERATIVE ENTERTAINMENT have debuted a new 12-part true crime podcast about "the most dangerous man in GEORGIA history."
"IN THE RED CLAY," hosted by SEAN KIPE, tracks the story of the notorious BILLY SUNDAY BIRT, a member of the loosely-organized "Dixie Mafia" crime network and a convicted murderer whose tally of victims was rumored to be far larger than officially determined.
The show is IMPERATIVE's sixth podcast.
Shaq (Photo: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com)
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL's podcast "THE BIG PODCAST WITH SHAQ" will move from PODCASTONE to WARNERMEDIA PODCAST NETWORK as part of the Basketball Hall of Famer's new multi-year extension with WARNERMEDIA's TURNER SPORTS. O'NEAL, part of the "INSIDE THE NBA" crew on TNT and an analyst for TUESDAY night NBA ON TNT coverage, will add a show on NBA TV on "The Business of Basketball," will expand his "SHAQTIN-A-FOOL" franchise to new platforms, and will join CNN's "NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE" show in his DJ DIESEL persona. He will also serve as Exec. Prod. for several new projects for BLEACHER REPORT and will have a development deal with WARNERMEDIA entertainment networks.
O'NEAL said, “TURNER SPORTS is family to me -- even you, CHUCK (on-air foil CHARLES BARKLEY) -- and I’m looking forward to working alongside my talented colleagues as we create many more SHAQ-tastic moments in the years to come.”
"SHAQ is so critical to our success, and such a huge part of the heart and soul of our coverage," said WARNERMEDIA News and Sports Chairman JEFF ZUCKER. "We are lucky to be able to have him as part of our family every single day, and I am personally so thrilled to see that continue for a long time to come."
“SHAQUILLE’s tenacity as a player and loyal teammate made him one of the best to ever do it on the court, and those skills have translated to his contributions as a broadcaster,” said TURNER SPORTS SVP/Talent Services & Special Projects TARA AUGUST. “His fun, infectious personality is engaging, entertaining and beloved by fans. We’re thrilled to extend and deepen our relationship with him for many years to come.”
Now At WWO
Actor MICHAEL ROSENBAUM's podcast "INSIDE OF YOU" has joined the WESTWOOD ONE PODCAST NETWORK. The interview show, which debuted in MAY 2018 and was previously part of UNQUALIFIED MEDIA's podcast network, posts on TUESDAYS.
“It is comforting for all of us to know that we are not the only ones facing challenges -- by hearing how the biggest stars in the world deal with adversity, I hope my listeners can gain resolve and perspective,” said ROSENBAUM, best known as Lex Luthor on "SMALLVILLE." “INSIDE OF YOU shines a big light onto mental health issues so we can normalize the conversations around them.”
New Podcast
Former GOOGLE CEO ERIC SCHMIDT is joining the ranks of podcasters with "REIMAGINE WITH ERIC SCHMIDT," a series of interviews with prominent figures about looking for unique solutions to issues facing the world, is being produced by SCHMIDT's own SCHMIDT FUTURES with COMPASS MEDIA NETWORKS and producers ADAM & JORDAN BORNSTEIN.
Among guests lined up for the show are UNITED NATIONS Secretary General ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, NOBEL Laureate economist ESTHER DUFLO, "Hillbilly Elegy" author J.D. VANCE, Capt. CHESLEY "SULLY" SULLENBERGER, and former Australian Prime Minister KEVIN RUDD.
The show is also being accompanied by a scholarship competition for post-secondary students worldwide, with up to $1 million in scholarships and prizes (up to 20 winners of up to $25,000 each, with a matching amount going to the winners' institutions) to be awarded through the "Reimagine Challenge 2020."
SCHMIDT said, "The pandemic has shed a light on societal issues and systems that hold back progress across the globe. With the tools and technology available today, we have the chance to reimagine our future. Now, more than ever, we must call upon and support the creative minds of the next generation to challenge the norms and build back a better world."
The CHARLOTTE-based syndicated ACE & TJ SHOW has organized its daily digital and radio content as "3 MEDIA," encompassing the four hour radio show, 24/7 streaming on the show's "ACE & TJ Button" including the streaming-only "SHARE FUNNY" daily show, and podcasts, including the on-demand versions of the radio show and "SHARE FUNNY" along with two unique podcasts. The project allows affiliates of the radio show to sell inventory in all three categories as part of their syndication agreements.
TJ said, “The industry has made streaming an after-thought and throw away and with our audience’s use of streaming exploding, we wanted to make streaming important and produce unique content to that media."
ACE said, "With the new demands on radio sales departments, we know having access to a multi-media package with various ways to access audience is vital.”
Find out more from ADAM GOODMAN at (843) 212-6522 or ALG@RadioButtonNetwork.com.
