Top result? Ausha’s podcast search optimisation open to all

• EXCLUSIVE: Podcast host Ausha has released its Podcast Search Optimisation tool for podcasts on all hosting platforms. After more than 700 people attended the company’s webinars on podcast search optimisation, the tool is now available to all podcasters.

  • The company is offering free audits for 50 qualifying Podnews readers.

• The Black Effect Podcast Festival is returning, iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God have announced. The event, which aims to celebrate, uplift and amplify Black voices in the podcast industry, will be on April 27 in Atlanta GA. Tickets go on sale today at 12.00pm ET. Find it in our events section.

• Lemonada Media has made another big signing: David Duchovny will make a show called Fail Better, which will launch in May.

• The IAB in Australia released its Audio Advertising State of the Nation 2024 report. The podcast advertising market in 2023 was AUD$99.1mn (US $65mn). 64% of media agencies intend to increase spend in 2024.

• In Canada, Radio Connects has released a set of data on the audio industry. Podcasts get 14% of all audio time spent listening, more than music streaming (11%). Looking at adults aged 18-49, podcasting accounts for 23% of all audio time: and they’re most popular in Ontario.

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• Ad Results Media unveiled ARM PRO, a suite of custom audio solutions tailored specifically for brands.

• Auddia, which launched an ad-skipping podcast app earlier this year, is to purchase radio streaming mobile app Radio FM - if they can afford it. “Closing the acquisition remains subject to financing the acquisition cost”, which is $15mn. Shares fell 17% after the announcement.

• WAMU, the NPR member station in Washington DC, is to lay off 15 staffers. The company will close DCist, a local news site, but plans to invest more in audio.

• Fusebox’s free podcast player is no longer available for new shows: the free plan was “no longer economically feasible”, according to an email sent to users. You have 90 days to find a different embedded player. We’ve a guide showing many of them; Apple or Spotify’s make good sense.

• Apple released iOS 17.4 RC, the release candidate of the new operating system that brings transcripts to all podcasts. Expect it to be released next Monday or Tuesday, say news websites focused on Apple: it contains software that is required by the EU to be available by Mar 6.

• Cumulus Media released its Q4/23 financial results. Podcasting revenue fell by 8% in 2023 - the most negatively impacted part of the business.

• The New Books Network has a new website. The network publishes up to 100 new episodes a week.

• Nathan Gwilliam, the CEO and founder of podcast training company PodUp, is the subject of a feature on the Brigham Young University website

• The Podcast Show in London has extended its first release pass rate until the end of March 4. (Use PODNEWS10 to save on selected passes)

Tips and tricks - with Podpage

• How to Structure Your Podcast in 5 Steps (Buzzsprout)

• Can You Make A Living As A Podcaster? 3 Experts Weigh In (MeiMei Fox/Forbes)

Podcast News returns tomorrow.