Australia leads the world for podcasts

• Australia leads the world when it comes to podcast listening, according to the Edison Research Infinite Dial 2023 Australia study, which was revealed earlier today. 43% of Australians listen to a podcast every month (compared to the US’s 42%); a third every week (compared to the US’s 31%).

  • When asked which platform listeners use most often for podcasts, Spotify is #1 with 34%; YouTube #2 with 24% and Apple Podcasts #3 with 11%. (Apple Podcasts isn’t on Android; Kantar says Android has a 51.6% share in Australia).

• Acast has launched a self-service podcast advertising platform for host-read advertising, in addition to pre-recorded ads. The tool also includes AI-driven tools to help advertisers discover new podcasts to advertise with.

  • Acast’s senior management have been blogging, too, with a look at Pods Of Gold: The Next Big Global Market at The Podcast Show; and Podcasting for Brands in Singapore: Key Insights from Acast’s Content360 Panel in Singapore.

• NYPR, the owner of WNYC Studios, is to eliminate FY23 bonuses for the leadership team, and will not take a new cycle of interns. An internal email, seen by Skye Pillsbury’s The Squeeze, also warns of more cost-cutting to come.

• The British Podcast Awards has opened voting for its Listeners’ Choice Award. You and your listeners can vote for any podcast - we’re told you should “remind your listeners of the awards and make sure they vote”.

• Veritonic announced that it will add traffic from YouTube to its audio attribution tools. The company joins Magellan AI and Podscribe in offering these tools.

• TWiT is switching away from Spotify - the company is now using Podscribe, and is testing Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast instead of Megaphone. “Advertisecast has a higher fill rate, plus we hope to partner with them on the host-read ads side of our business,” says Lisa Laporte.

• AdLarge Media has launched AdLarge Labs to develop custom strategies and content for podcasters to increase revenue opportunities.

• PodInbox has redesigned its fan pages and added a welcome message. The service allows you to leave voice messages and tips for podcasters: here’s our page if you want to leave us a message.

• Podimo has opened a recording studio in Madrid, Spain. The company has also unveiled the “Talent Hub” to support new podcast talent.

Thank you to Podfans for becoming our latest supporter. Podfans is supporting us by giving 1% of all podcast support to Podnews (and a further 1% to the Podcast Index): currently in closed alpha, it is a new podcast platform allowing you to discover new shows, listen, and earn revenue. You, too, can support us here.

Moves and hires

• Russell Weissmann has been made COO at Bill Burr and Al Madrigal’s All Things Comedy. He will lead audience strategy and oversee distribution, sales, business development, and podcasts.

It's your last chance!

Paid content

Our Final Entry Deadline to enter the 2nd Annual Signal Awards is this Friday and we don’t want you to miss out! We encourage you to enter your podcasts across the following categories: Shows, Limited Series & Specials, Individual Episodes and Branded Shows & Advertising, with comprehensive honors ranging from Most Innovative Audio Experience to Best Conversation Starter, News & Politics and Best Commute Podcast.

Our Signal Judging Academy is made up of a panel of esteemed industry leaders and podcasting pros, including Podcast Movement’s Dan Franks, Head of Audio at the LA Times Jazmin Aguilera, and Vice President, The Podglomerate Joni Deutsch.

There is still time to participate in this year’s competition. Submit your work by our Final Entry Deadline this Friday, June 30th to showcase your talent to the world!

Podcast News

The Tennis Podcast will be streamed live from Wimbledon each night during the championships, in a partnership with the All England Club. The podcast is to be made live on YouTube each night.

The latest episode of the a16z Podcast was recorded in a self-driving car. Host Steph Smith interviewed Waymo’s Chief Product Officer Saswat Panigrahi in the back. (Waymo was formerly Google’s self-driving car project).

Into The Dirt is new from Tortoise Media today. It’s a 6-part series telling the story of one man’s journey from corporate spy to self-proclaimed double agent – and how it ruined him. A look at how the world of corporate intelligence agencies operate, the first two parts are available from today.

Podcast promotion in the wild

Indie podcast Expectant towered over Yonge and Dundas in Toronto ON, Canada, all weekend, along with a set of other Canadian shows. Impressive-eh!