Lots of US dollar money
Mathieu Turle

Spotify opens its wallet again: but now, for video

Listen · · 4 minutes to read
  • Thought Spotify had stopped spending the big bucks on content? Think again: the company is making offers, reaching seven figures, to “encourage video-oriented creators to distribute their shows to the platform in addition to YouTube”, according to a new scoop from Bloomberg’s Ashley Carman. She points out that when you upload videos to the service, it pulls audio from the video file, rather than the RSS feed (thus cutting out dynamically inserted ads).

  • The BBC is doubling-down on its podcast windowing strategy. It’s to make more of its podcast episodes available exclusively first behind a registration wall on the BBC Sounds app - usually for a week (seven days) or a month (28 days) - and only then publish on open RSS. The BBC claims a successful 18-month trial, which it says attracted 218,000 listeners to use BBC Sounds (4.3% of the total audience); but it also admits that the majority of listeners still use open RSS to listen. The BBC was the first UK broadcaster to embrace podcasting, in November 2004, but has since retreated from the open internet.

    • The BBC is funded by a mandatory TV licence of £169.50 (US$220) a year, and by advertising and programme sales outside the UK. Recently unveiled plans to include advertising on podcasts within the UK have been heavily criticised.
  • Google’s NotebookLM now “lets you listen to a conversation about your sources” - taking a full set of articles and turning it into a “lively conversation”, or as we might call it, a podcast. We asked it to take our popular article explaining podcast stats. And the 7-minute result is really quite impressive. Worth a listen.

    • It totally hallucinates the difference between a download and a listen - but we like its description of a download being “people who RSVP to a party saying they’ll be there”, but a listen being “people who actually turn up”.

Thank you to Andy Bowers who became a personal supporter this week. Co-founder of Spooler, and previous co-founder of Megaphone, founder of Slate Podcasts and Pinna, we’re proud of his support. Thank you! You can become like Andy here.

Get the free Podnews newsletter for more like this

Get it free

Tips and tricks - with Ausha - next gen podcasting ๐Ÿš€

Podcast News

    Podnews Weekly Review
    Play trailerThe Podnews Weekly Review this week talks to Steve Pratt, the author of the new book “Earn It: Unconventional Strategies for Brave Marketers”, and discusses the importance of earning attention in the modern digital landscape. We also hear about Buzzsprout’s new websites, and someone rings Sam’s doorbell. (Full interviews in the Podnews Extra feed).
    The Media Club with Matt Deegan
    Play trailerThe Media Club with Matt Deegan is the new name for The Media Podcast, the weekly show about UK media. The show, one of the UK’s longest-running podcasts, has been given a new look, new website and a new episode today. It’s produced by Rethink Audio and the rebrand was managed by Podcast Discovery.
    Now You Know
    Play trailerAl Jazeera has launched its first video podcast. Now You Know is hosted by Samantha Johnson, and amplifies women’s voices globally. The show covers topics such as women’s experiences in film, sports, health, and important social issues. The network plans to launch three video podcasts this year.
    Aconic
    Play trailerA new podcast launched yesterday aims to challenge stereotypes of Asian and Asian Americans. Aconic is hosted by Soon Yu, and will talk to guests who have seen success including the roadblocks, misfires, frustrations, and failures they faced and their seminal moments of vulnerability, hope, perseverance, and achievement.
    Stop & Talk
    Play trailerThe Stop & Talk podcast is celebrating its first anniversary. Hosted by Grant Oliphant of the Prebys Foundation, the show dives deep into the themes of purpose and opportunity, guided by the insights of leaders in the arts and culture, sports, philanthropy, finance, and innovation fields.

Companies mentioned above:
Ausha logoAushaMegaphone logoMegaphonePinna logoPinnaPodcast Discovery logoPodcast DiscoverySpotify logoSpotify

Podcast data for Sep 13

#1 in Apple Podcasts
US flag So Supernatural (audiochuck | Crime House)
IE flag The Rest Is Politics: US (Goalhanger)

#1 in Spotify
US flag The Joe Rogan Experience (Joe Rogan)
IE flag Tipsy Topics (Bethandwhatt)

Over the last week, 192,337 podcasts published at least one new episode (up 0.0%). source

Events

  • Getting
  • the
  • five
  • latest
  • events
This section is continually updated. See more and add yours, free

Latest Jobs

  • Getting
  • the
  • five
  • latest
  • jobs
This section is continually updated. See more and add your vacancies, free

Readers and supporters

Gold supporters

Silver supporters

Readers and supporters

Get a global view on podcasting and on-demand with our daily news briefing