Hello, everybody. Earlier than we dive into right now’s information, I’ve a pair large bulletins to share.
First, I’m very excited to announce that we’ve employed a brand new lead author to hitch the Scorching Pod crew. Who’s it? Nicely, take into account this only a teaser: we’ll have a correct announcement subsequent week, however I needed to allow you to all know first that we’ve received one thing coming. They’re a incredible match for the e-newsletter, and I can’t await them to start out later this month.
Within the spirit of modifications, I even have a bittersweet announcement to share: my fantastic colleague Aria Bracci has determined to step away from reporting on audio to spend extra time working with audio. I’m actually going to overlook working with Aria — she was a vivid presence within the e-newsletter and newsroom, and I’d encourage you all to succeed in out to her if you are interested in working along with her sooner or later. I’ve a be aware from Aria under (plus somewhat one thing to take heed to).
Lastly, I need to thank everybody who’s been reaching out to me with information, recommendation, and introductions throughout this transition. It’s been an awesome assist, and it’s made filling in as your author a real pleasure. I’ll proceed writing Scorching Pod in the meanwhile, however I’m trying ahead to the robust future forward for Scorching Pod forward as we introduce a brand new crew.
Now, a phrase from Aria earlier than we get into the information.
Aria indicators off
With nothing however a full coronary heart, I’m letting you understand that I’m leaving my place at Scorching Pod.
Fascinated about audio on a regular basis has actually made me miss making it — go determine. I’ve been producing music and making a story podcast that’s actually necessary to me, and I’m going to be dedicating myself to these issues for a short time — or an extended whereas. We’ll see. Please do be in contact in the event you’d wish to work with me! (First identify final identify at gmail dot com) I’ll certainly have to generate profits finally.
As for the podcast, the premise is folks calling up people who ghosted them, laying naked the issues they by no means talked about. It’s enjoyable! It’s cathartic. It’s spicy in good methods. If a courting state of affairs of yours has ever fizzled unceremoniously, and all events can be right down to revisit it on mic, it is best to e-mail me. Once more, that’s first identify final identify at gmail dot com.
This has been such a enjoyable experience; thanks for all of the sweetness and assist and strategies you’ve supplied. Despite the fact that I do know little or no concerning the future, I’m excited for who’s coming subsequent to Scorching Pod and what’s coming subsequent for me.
Alright. Now onto that stuff you got here for.
The return of Spotifriday
Look, nobody can cease me from utilizing “Spotifriday” so long as I’m nonetheless writing. We’ve received three large — however comparatively fast — items of Spotify information to undergo right now.
The primary: the Parcast Union reached a take care of Spotify late Wednesday evening. Phrases of the deal will seemingly be shared early subsequent week, I’m advised, however first, they must be permitted by the bargaining unit. We’ll have extra as soon as particulars can be found. However large image, this implies Spotify now has three podcast unions with locked down contracts, and it needs to be free from bargaining for a pair extra years… so long as nobody else joins in. (The same old disclosure right here: the Parcast Union is organized with the Writers Guild of America, East, which I’m additionally a part of via the Vox Media Union.)
Second, Megaphone reduce off service in Russia this week, as reported by Podnews. I suppose this is smart given the malicious regulation the nation handed designed to stifle the unfold of correct info on Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. That being stated, Megaphone isn’t simply shutting down its service in Russia — it’s absolutely blocking downloads to Russian IP addresses, in response to a be aware from the corporate. This looks like a considerably extra excessive step to me, and I’m uncomfortable with the concept info out there on the open net is being blocked. Megaphone says the affect shouldn’t be substantial: “There are at present only a few downloads being attributed to Russian IP addresses,” the crew writes.
Spotify spokesperson Erin Kinds confirmed to me that the corporate started “notifying Russian customers and companions” on Thursday that its companies can be suspended beginning April eleventh, together with Megaphone.
Third, Lydia Polgreen is leaving Gimlet after two years to return to The New York Instances. Polgreen was seen as a giant rating for Gimlet when she joined in 2020 as managing director, coming off a three-year stint as editor-in-chief of HuffPost and almost 15 years on the Instances. She was featured in Spotify’s “Stream On” occasion final yr to speak concerning the firm’s podcasting efforts, and a part of her purpose was to “get folks into the behavior of listening to content material on Spotify that’s not music,” Polgreen stated again in 2020.
Whereas that shift is actually underway, Gimlet has had a bumpy path over the previous couple years. Enterprise Insider reported that Gimlets’ exhibits have been lagging behind different Spotify collection by way of obtain numbers a number of months after Polgreen joined in 2020, and the community very publicly struggled with variety points in 2021 that have been delivered to gentle throughout the Reply All debacle. There’s no phrase on who’ll be taking up at Gimlet simply but.
All of the RSS’s a stage
Will Ferrell’s Huge Cash Gamers Community is creating two new exhibits to go alongside his Ron Burgundy Podcast, in response to Inside Radio. And certainly one of them has an idea that I discover fairly intelligent: the present is named The Feed, and a solid of 10 comedians will rotate internet hosting duties. “You might be mainly launching an RSS that turns into a stage that you simply hand over to comedians for weeks at a time,” Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Audio Group, stated at Podcast Motion. It’s deliberate to launch in June, in response to the report.
Extra Extra Good is on the best way + The Experiment shuts down
WNYC Studios introduced this morning that it’s bringing again Extra Good, its much-loved podcast collection that ran from 2016 to 2018 and explored the affect of the US Supreme Courtroom. In a memo to workers, WNYC chief content material officer Andrew Golis stated “we’re keen and excited to deliver again this well timed and related podcast” in gentle of yesterday’s affirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson and “what’s prone to be a dramatic interval for the Courtroom forward.” The present is deliberate to relaunch in early 2023.
The present will probably be hosted by Julia Longoria, who labored on the collection’ authentic run. Longoria has been internet hosting The Experiment, which Golis stated will probably be ending manufacturing as a result of “our co-producer, The Atlantic, is transferring their podcast technique in a brand new path, and has determined to not proceed with the partnership.” (If you understand what that new path is, I’m all ears!) Golis stated the present was a “resounding success” whereas it was airing, hitting peak obtain figures in February and touchdown on various best-of lists on the finish of the yr.
MOVES
Serita Wesley is becoming a member of Sony Music Leisure’s World Podcast Division as its first head of US leisure podcasts. Wesley, who joins from Contemporary Produce Media, will “oversee the event of latest exhibits throughout a variety of genres, together with comedy, popular culture, self-care, chat and extra,” in response to Sony.
Gitte Bendzulla is becoming a member of Deezer as its new COO. Bendzulla was beforehand the COO on the courting app firm Spark Networks and is now tasked with executing Deezer’s “formidable progress plans.”
That’s all for right now — I’m excited to share extra subsequent week. Additionally, a fast programming be aware: I’m happening trip for every week beginning Wednesday, so I’ll have some enjoyable visitor columns to fill within the hole whereas I’m out.
