The worst month to launch a podcast is…

• PodPros has published the Actively Established Podcast Report for January 2023. Alex Sanfilippo tells Podnews the data says that: “Starting a podcast during November for the first time drastically decreases your chances of success. Starting within eight weeks of the holidays means podcasters don’t have time to create a rhythm, systems or automations before taking a break.” The data also says that there are 310,000 fewer active podcasts than there were in 2020.

• The Ed Mylett Show has signed with the Cumulus Podcast Network. He signed with talent agency WME in June, and was with Stitcher.

• Congratulations to our supporters Message Heard, which is celebrating its six year anniversary this week.

• Nominations are now open for the UK’s ARIAS, the Audio & Radio Industry Awards. Of note: organisers “will be working with an independent EDI consultant to offer support and guidance to ensure that equity is embedded at the heart of the ARIAS. This includes offering insights into best practice and highlighting the impact of, for example, unconscious bias when judging entries.”

• Do people binge-listen to podcasts? Yes, says Edison Research: 77% of US podcast listeners say they have listened to multiple episodes of the same podcast in a single session.

Moves and hires

• The Podglomerate has hired Katelyn Bogucki as Lead Producer. She was previously executive producer of Gimlet Media’s Archetypes.

• The Webby Awards has a new General Manager. Nick Borenstein knows his podcasts, too - among other things, he produced Missing Richard Simmons

Tips and tricks

• Planning your podcast can be easier with a planner template: and Rephonic have produced one that’s updated for 2024. It helps with everything from goals, descriptions and interviews.

Podcast News - with Airwave

From Airwave: Ever finished a book and wondered What Should I Read Next? There’s a podcast for that - each week, Anne Bogel, of the blog Modern Mrs Darcy, interviews a reader about the books they love, the books they hate, and the books they’re reading now. Then, she makes recommendations about what to read next.

If you think movies are too long these days, you’ll love the 90 Minutes Or Less Film Fest - a show that celebrates movies with an under 90 minute runtime. Their special holiday episode features Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World) who namechecked over 100 films during the chat. (But then, the episode is… over 90 minutes long)

Word is that Arielle & Ned’s Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You mentioned us on Monday. Yay! (And yes, this is a almost-guaranteed way to appear in this newsletter)

The popular PBS KIDS show Work It Out Wombats! now has a podcast - giving kids the opportunity to break the fourth wall and have a playdate with beloved characters Malik, Zadie, and Zeke. The show, aimed for kids between 3-6, launches today.

The Radio Times has launched a brand new podcast, The Best Ever, with a different panel of guests each week going head-to-head to compete for The Best Ever trophy. The first episode, available now, goes into the best ever Doctor Who story.

Future Hindsight moves into election mode this year, aiming to create completely independent, unaffiliated, and compelling content in a world of big media influence. The show claims it’s a platform to “unpack progressive democratic ideas totally free of corporate agendas and spoon-fed talking points”.