Podtrac launches Sales Network Ranking

• Podtrac has launched a new Podcast Sales Network Ranking. The initial ranking, for September, places Wondery at #1, with a US monthly audience of 25 million. Others in the ranking include Podcast One, and new to Podtrac’s measurement, Acast and Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast - we understand more sales networks are lined-up to be included.

• How many podcasts are you really competing with? Sounds Profitable’s Tom Webster suggests you aren’t competing with four million podcasts: it’s both much worse than that, and also much better than that, if you’d only market your podcast on other media. Read the article in full, and subscribe.

• French podcast hosting company Ausha, which recently launched in the US, has shared the company’s values in a blog post.

• Dark Sanctum is a new, scripted, full-cast spinetingling podcast from Mark Ramsey, the creator of Inside Psycho, Inside The Exorcist and more. We’re told to expect “captivating storytelling with chilling audio and sound design in Dolby Atmos to transport listeners through a twisted and memorable audio thrill ride”. The show is available in full on Wondery+.

• Another day, another lawsuit for something someone has said on a podcast. This time, it’s iHeartPodcasts and The Black Effect’s Drink Champs, the offending statement was from a high-profile guest, and the sum sued for is $250m.

Moves and hires

• Spotify has hired Bryan Thoensen as the head of its Talk Creator Content and Partnerships team. He joins from Hulu, Fullscreen and TikTok.

Tips and tricks

• Eric Nuzum has written about the power of three, and how we use it to promote podcasts.

• Nick Hilton asks who owns a podcast’s brand?

Podcast News - with Lemonada Media

From Lemonada Media: On Funny Cuz It’s True Elyse Myers interviews well-known individuals about their most awkward moments. Relentlessly unfiltered and relatable, we’ll laugh at and learn from the moments that keep us up at night.

7am is the first daily news podcast to be a Walkley Award finalist. The recognised episode is “The Killing of Ann Marie Smith” from Apr 5 this year. The annual Walkley Awards are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism.

Launching on Diwali, next Monday, Elevate with V promises to “transform darkness into purposeful light”, diving into mental health and spirituality. It’s hosted by Vineeta Santoshi, an Indian woman based in Chicago IL, USA.