Amazon adds podcast transcripts

Podcast Myths don’t need a mad scientist to debunk them, but it helps - learn why podcast streaming is a myth, why dynamic ad insertion can include host reads, and how podcast ad attribution works in Sounds Profitable this week, with Magellan AI.

• Amazon Music has announced a “synchronised podcast transcripts” feature. It’s only available in the Amazon Music app, only in the US, and only for recent episodes of Amazon Original and Wondery shows. It’s going to be opened to other selected shows shortly; as far as we can tell, it’s a proprietary solution with no link to the existing open transcript standard from the new podcast namespace. We’ve asked how podcasters can submit transcripts.

• Spotify’s proprietary video podcasts system is “a dumpster fire”, says Drew Linsalata, the host of The Anxious Truth. Even though Anchor gave this podcaster early access, it took six days for his podcast’s episode to be correctly available on Spotify, during which Anchor support didn’t return his emails.

  
  Sep 8 2023: This broken link now points to the Internet Archive.

• The BBC has launched BBC Podcasts Premium exclusively on the proprietary Apple Podcasts subscription system, and only in the US and Canada. The service will include “exclusive shows” (which are also available free in the UK). The BBC Podcasts Channel is available everywhere; the Premium bit only shows up in the US and Canada. All BBC shows are commercial-free in the UK; the corporation still blocks its shows from Google Podcasts.

• Veritonic has added Brand Lift to the platform’s campaign reporting capabilities. The data helps advertisers know which audio asset is performing in their campaigns. Our sister publication, Sounds Profitable, has just published a deep-dive into their brand lift product: Amanda Dimarco from Veritonic demonstrates it to Bryan Barletta.

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• Music and podcast app Gaana has added full analytics to its podcast platform. Podnews has achieved 4,000 listeners on the platform, according to our data. Popular in India and Asia, here’s where to add your show.

• RØDE has launched the AI-Micro, a dual-channel USB interface. It’s aimed at those who use lavalier microphones to record, and works on mobile and desktop.

• Buzzsprout’s stats for October 2021 were released, showing Spotify and Apple Podcasts level-pegging at 31% of all downloads. Downloads via Facebook are up by more than 50% month on month, but account for just 0.3% of all downloads. The data underestimates both Apple Podcasts and Facebook, since it discards AppleCoreMedia plays.

• Podcast Movement has chatted with Talib Jasir, CEO and Founder of Afros & Audio; they’re running a festival Nov 13-14.

• PRX shows are now in the Audacy app. (Here’s how to add yours).

• The Spoken Word Audio Report will be released in a webinar on Nov 11. We’re told spoken word audio consumption, including podcasting, has increased “a lot” over the past twelve months.

  
  Sep 8 2023: This broken link now points to the Internet Archive.

• Podcast host Castos has released automation tools for their private podcasting tool including integration to ConvertKit.

• Equity Mates Media has completed a AUD $1.2m (US $900,000) funding round. The company has had 4.1m podcast downloads in the last twelve months.

• Staples will open two new “Staples Connect” stores, which include podcast studios: one in downtown Los Angeles, and another in Auburn, Maine. The new stores open on Nov 6.

• Can’t control the volume of podcasts on your Chromecast device from your phone, now you’ve updated to Android 12? It’s a legal issue, which is suggested to be something to do with an ongoing case with Sonos. The workaround is to use the Google Home app and/or talk to the speaker.

Moves and hires - with Pod People

• Dino Sofos, one of the UK’s most successful podcast producers, announced this morning he is to launch his own production company. Persephonica will work with the biggest international talent to develop innovative formats. Sofos was producer of the BBC’s popular Brexitcast and Americast shows; he’ll join the Podland podcast tomorrow.

This link is no longer available, as at Sep 8 2023

Tips and tricks

• In his newsletter, Eric Nuzum suggests that podcast success comes from focusing on making it “good”.

Podcast News - with AdLarge Media

Presented by AdLarge Media: The History of World War II by Ray Harris, Jr. History buffs rejoice! The History of WWII is a podcast covering the last world war in intimate detail. Host and historian Ray Harris Jr. has been obsessed with all of the elements of WWII since his days at James Madison University. He eagerly shares that passion and deep knowledge with his listeners every week.

Slow Burn returns for season six today. The show focuses on the LA riots in 1992, which was the biggest civil disturbance in American history.

Bubble Trouble with Will Page and Richard Kramer is continuing its look at hyper-competition. This week, a discussion with Mike Follett of Lumen Research talking about the world of advertising; last week, Podnews Editor James Cridland, talking about the world of podcasting.

For Colored Nerds has posted a trailer for the return of the 'beloved’ Black culture show hosted by Eric Eddings and Brittany Luse. It’s now with Stitcher.

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