Japan: YouTube is #1 for podcasts

• YouTube is the #1 podcast platform in Japan, according to a new report from Otonal and the Asahi Shimbun Company. A new high of 17.2% of Japanese adults aged 15-69 listen at least once a month; that figure rising to 34% for 15-19 year-olds.

  • Audio in Japan has always seen lower consumption than in other countries. The 17.2% monthly listeners number compares with 55% in the US.
  • Last week was the 100th anniversary of the birth of radio in Japan. Podnews’s Editor, James Cridland, will be on Tokyo radio station J-WAVE on Friday morning to talk about podcasting and radio’s future.

• Megyn Kelly is to launch her own podcast network. The MK Media network has already signed a number of journalists.

• Podcast hosting company RSS.com has added automatic Apple Podcasts submission. The feature from Apple, which was launched in Feb, was driven in part by comments in the Podnews Report Card, and makes it easier for new users to get into Apple Podcasts without registering as a user. (The new Report Card is published next week, in a keynote at Evolutions).

  • The company is also showing off its reviews and metrics in a new page.

• And, podcast hosting company RSS.com has achieved IAB Podcast Measurement Guidelines v2.2 compliance. It’s the first time the company has gained certification.

• Podcast app Metacast has added chapter support - it uses the new podcast namespace, time codes in the description, or generates its own.

• SiriusXM Media is promoting its Audio Measurement Playbook, a free downloadable guide to measuring ROI with digital audio

• Nielsen and AdsWizz have extended an agreement to allow AdsWizz publishers and advertisers to leverage Nielsen Marketing Cloud.

Moves and hires

• Acast has expanded into Queensland, Australia’s best state, with a new hire and a set of key promotions. “Queensland creators are producing some of the best content in the country,” says newly appointed Senior Account Manager, Lauren Everist. As a Queensland-based publication, we think she’s selling us short: the world, surely?

Tips and tricks - with Pod Predictor by Coleman Insights

• It’s always best to promote your podcast by linking to your website - but if you don’t have one, you might want to use a universal link instead. We’ve a list of the good tools to use, and how they all work.

Podcast News - with Airwave

New on Airwave: With over 8 billion people in the world, we all have one thing in common. Everyday, we all get dressed. Dressed: The History of Fashion celebrates the who, what and when of why we wear.

Returning from hiatus today, Storybook Ending is a TTRPG Actual Play about humans, the stories they make, and the words that make them. With the town of Fox Jumps thrown into chaos and classic literature continuing to spring to life, the three Speakers must use their wits, their charm, and their magic over words to tell their own story. (P.S. There’s a recap of the first half of the season if you don’t want to start at Episode 1!)

Have you ever been targeted for what you believe in? Targeted launches today from Next Chapter Podcasts - and delves into the lives of individuals singled out, sanctioned, and systematically dismantled by governments, institutions, and powerful entities. Expect to hear from whistleblowers, lawyers and activists. It’s hosted by Zach Abramowitz.

In Outside the Box with Asendia USA: The International e-Commerce Podcast this week, you’ll get tips for navigating tariffs when shipping to shoppers in Mexico.

In El Chisme del Fitness Podcast this week, you’ll feel like you’re sitting with a smart, hilarious friend who finally explains fitness and nutrition without all the BS. You’ll hear the host break down confusing topics—like calories, metabolism, and workout myths—in a way that actually makes sense (and makes you laugh). Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re deep into macros and smartwatches, this is your new go-to podcast for real talk and science-backed tips.

“Tell Me Everything.” In the latest season for The Coop with Kit, you’ll continue to get an inspiring and thought-provoking podcast where the world’s most recognizable women in entertainment, sports and business candidly delve into their transformative experiences, share personal insights, and recount funny, amusing stories. It’s hosted by Kit Hoover.