“Unfiltered” podcasts on TV cancelled

• In South Africa, satellite TV provider DStv announced it was putting eight video podcasts onto its TV channels. “This is … a bold step into the future where linear television meets the gutsy, unfiltered world of digital storytelling,” says Shirley Adonisi, director for channel owner M-Net. But, the “unfiltered world” doesn’t always work with broadcast standards. Five months later, at least two shows have been cancelled, following “breaches of ethical standards”; one show, Open Chats, being dropped after racist comments that may be illegal (although that specific episode wasn’t brodcast). One affected podcaster said: “If DStv was looking for polish, they shouldn’t have gone down the podcast route.”

• After Spotify returned podcast linking tool Podlink to its original developer, the service has now been rebuilt. The new Podlink has an updated list of podcast platforms that are sorted by popularity, the ability to set a default app, and highlights trailers. Its successor episodes.fm now redirects to Podlink; all existing links (for both) should continue to work.

• The Empowered Podcasting Conference is to return to Charlotte NC, USA for its second year. The conference anticipates hosting between 150-200 attendees, “ensuring an intimate atmosphere that maximizes networking and meaningful connections”.

• Finnish audio company Neural DSP has launched Mantra, a “vocal production plugin” that combines pitch correction, a noise gate, de-esser, compressors, saturation, harmonies, and effects into one plugin.

• Lenny, a way to support the podcasts you listen to, has launched v2 of its platform. There’s a website for creators that explains more. The service splits a monthly amount between your favourite shows.

• In Florida, WFIT has cut three staff positions.

• Further reading: A Gut Reaction to Amazon Canning Wondery (Nick Hilton) … The Podcast Industry Reacts to Amazon Instituting Mass Layoffs at Wondery (Barrett Media) … Wonder(y) no more: Amazon’s cuts point to the future of podcasting (Chris Stone)

The Tech Stuff - with RSS.com

• The Podcast Standards Project has announced a number of sessions at Podcast Movement, many of which are open to anyone. The sessions include video in RSS, and RSS’s future.

• Podcast host Podigee has achieved v2.2 of the IAB Podcast Measurement Guidelines.

• OP3 has added a new API to provide 1/3/7/30-day & all-time downloads for a show’s recent episodes. Here’s Podnews Daily’s data, as one example (and our total stats)

• What other interesting data can you see from OP3? How about uptake of the latest versions of iOS?

• How’s Apple Podcasts doing vs Spotify? Earlier this year, Podtrac reported that Apple Podcasts had a 37.4% share in the US, with Spotify in third place after YouTube. Today’s data (sourced from OP3) shows us a similar story - Apple Podcasts in the lead, with Spotify second (OP3 can’t measure YouTube).

  • Podnews financially supports OP3 every month. Your company should too!

Tips and tricks - with Podcast Movement

• The Podcast Host introduce 4 Untapped Podcast Audiences To Grow Your Show

Podcast News - with Airwave

New on Airwave: This Is Woman’s Work with Nicole Kalil From boardrooms to studios, kitchens to coding dens, this show explores the multifaceted experiences of today’s woman, confirming that the new definition of “woman’s work” is whatever feels authentic, true, and right for you.

Gangster returns with a new season: the explosive true-crime tale of Linda Calvey - who rose through the ranks of London’s criminal scene to become one of the UK’s most feared female gangsters. For the first time ever, her children speak publicly about the lasting consequences of her life of crime. It’s a rare female perspective on violence, power and survival in a world dominated by men - and for the first time, lays bare the personal cost of crime on the children left behind.

From Footwork Media, First Up: Football launches today - a brand new, daily podcast delivering the biggest footballing stories from around the globe, in a short 10 minute hit. It’ll be hosted by Sammy James, and also available on YouTube, X and TikTok.

Want to know what makes Trial Lawyers tick? Courtroom Stories & Tactics is bringing together host and trial lawyer Sharif Gray’s experiences defending some of Virginia’s most difficult cases together with the country’s top working litigators, to share a behind the scenes look at how the people protecting you work and think.