Blubrry and Audioburst announce partnership; Spotify buys Parcast; BBC explains

• Podcast host Blubrry and voice search company Audioburst have announced a partnership. New and existing Blubrry users will have access to transcription, shareable short snippets or “bursts” for social, monetisation options and enhanced distribution and discovery.

• In a blog post, the BBC has given more details about its decision to block Google from cataloguing its podcasts. We’ve updated our story with the details, as well as a comparison between the Android/Google and iOS/Apple experience, which seem similar.

• As Podnews was sending yesterday, Spotify announced it will buy Parcast, a podcast production house. Spotify purchased Gimlet and Anchor earlier this year. Meanwhile, Gimlet management has “effectively refused to voluntarily recognise” their proposed union, according to the union’s twitter feed.

• WIRED explains the European Union’s Copyright Directive, which could have serious knock-on effects for podcasters and their hosts.

• SoundCloud, a podcast and music host, and advertising company TargetSpot have announced exclusive advertising partnerships in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

• Magellan have released a study into how food, beverage and pet brands are using podcast advertising. Half of the entire sector’s podcast advertising is related to two brands: Blue Apron and Thrive Market.

• DiscoverPods ask: is the RØDECaster Pro worth the hype?

• Kyle contacts us to point out something with the new Google Podcasts web interface that we’d overlooked: you can link direct to episodes (that link should take you to March 1st’s edition of The Daily). Need direct episode links? We’ve got you covered - search for a podcast in Podnews and find the tiny “episode links” link at the bottom of the page.

• The BBC has purchased a series from Splendid Chaps, an Australia sci-fi comedy, says Chortle. Called Night Terrace, it will air on BBC Radio 4 Extra next month.

• This edition of Podnews was partly written while listening to Music from S-Town by Daniel Hart.

  
  This link is no longer available, as at Aug 11 2023

Podcasts

The Nocturnists is a live show (see above) where health professionals tell stories from the world of medicine. The first episode of season two came out yesterday; based in San Francisco, it records on both US coasts. (Libsyn)

Podcasting Essentials has Nick Schildberger of BE Media Production and Sharon Taylor, CEO of Omny Studio, discussing the latest statistics for podcasting and audio SEO. (Omny Studio)

Come Fly With Me contains travel stories from Jon Lapidese of adventure, mayhem, foolishness, and swinging through the jungle of life. (Libsyn)

Something Rhymes With Purple is a new podcast appreciating the English language and widening your vocabulary, with etymologist (and star of Countdown) Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth. To the best of our knowledge, neither Susie nor Gyles walk with a hirple. (Somethin’Else / Acast)

Thank you

• Thank you to Bullhorn for your kind support. Bullhorn is a podcast app that doesn’t use data - perfect for long-distance drivers or those without home wifi.