Podcast News Round Up | The Irish Podcast Awards Launches & More!
Welcome back to the HeadStuff Podcast News Round-Up were we take a look at what’s happening in the world of podcasting and give you a recommendation or two along the way. This week we look at the launch of the Irish Podcast Awards 2022, The New York Times’ audio app release to beta testers, the benefit of podcast’s on Spotify’s ad revenue, and take a look at Spotify and Apple Podcast’s most popular podcasts of 2021. We also review The Big Reviewski as our podcast of the week!
Podcast of the Week
This is one for all movie buffs and film fans out there. The Big Reviewski from JOE is an Irish review podcast, looking at all things silver screen, TV and streaming.
Featuring big name interviews and offering up to date reviews on the most recent releases, The Big Reviewski keeps on top of all new media, uploading several times a week to offer news and previews to their audience.
A highlight of the podcast is their interviews, with their most recent including Paul Rudd, who spoke about the new instalment in the Ghostbusters franchise, and Angelina Jolie and Barry Keoghan to chat about their new movies Those Who Wish Me Dead and Eternals.
But The Big Reviewski doesn’t limit itself to just movies and TV, featuring some interviews with video game legends, like Laura Bailey, the voice behind some of the most famous video game characters (and a familiar name for any fans of Critical Role.)
Irish Podcast Awards Announced
Last week, the new independent Irish Podcast Awards were announced with the aim of celebrating “the rich diversity of Irish podcasting from kitchen podcasters to radio broadcasters and from non-profits to large publishers.” The awards are working closely with the British Podcast Awards and Australian Podcast Awards, with support from Podnews, Radio Today and Podfollow.
The Irish Podcast Awards will open for entires in March 2022 and will be open to all podcasts across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Nominees will be announced in July 2022, with winners to be announced at an awards ceremony held in Dublin in September 2022.
On the Awards, host of Thanks a Million Angela Scanlon said “There are so many incredible Irish podcasts from so many exceptional people so I’m beyond delighted to see the Irish Podcast Awards are coming in 2022! I can’t wait to wrap my lugs around every one of them!!”
More information on the Irish Podcast Awards are due to be revealed at the beginning of 2022, including categories and rules. To find out more, check out their website here.
The New York Times Audio app released to beta testers
The New York Times Audio app has been released to beta testers, said Alex Rainert, the NYT’s Head of Audio Product & Design via a Twitter thread posted earlier this week.
Rainert said “NYT Audio is an audio-first app for listeners to enjoy the full range of our (The New York Times) audio journalism & storytelling with the daily guidance and expertise of Times journalists and editors to help our audience always find something great to listen to.” You can sign up for the beta experience for New York Times Audio here.
The NYT Audio app aims to share podcasts, stories and narrated articles from The Times and other publications. Sara Fischer goes into detail about the layout and functionality of the app in this article by Axios.
The app aims to launch publicly next year.
Podcasts boost Spotify’s ad revenue through the Spotify Audience Network
Spotify recently released it’s earnings report for Q3, and has credited podcasts for boosting its ad revenue since the launch of its new audio advertising marketplace, the Spotify Audience Network, allowing advertisers to reach its listenership through the platform’s ad-supported music as well as its original and exclusive podcast programs.
Since launching the Spotify Audience Network earlier this year, the number of podcasts on the platform grew by 50% with nearly 1 in 5 Spotify advertisers already participating, according to Spotify. Ad revenue is expected to rise in the coming weeks as the network is set to open to emerging podcast creators from Anchor.
Via The Hollywood Report, Spotify stated: “Our podcast business was driven by strong double-digit year-over-year growth at existing Spotify studios (The Ringer, Parcast, Spotty Studios, and Gimlet) along with the (podcast ad company) Megaphone acquisition and the exclusive licensing of the Joe Rogan Experience, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard and Call Her Daddy.”
You can view the full report here.
Apple and Spotify’s Most Popular Podcasts of 2021
Apple and Spotify have both released lists revealing the best podcasts on each platform for 2021.
Apple Podcasts’ editorial team have curated their list based on shows and creators who have”provided listeners with a powerful sense of connection in a challenging and uncertain time.”
Podcasts recognised on their list includes Maya Shankar’s A Slight Change of Plans as Best Show of the Year, Maria Garcia’s Anything for Selena as Newcomer of the Year, as well as a breakdown of other shows of the year, episodes of the year and the most popular shows featuring on their charts. You can view the full list of podcasts here.
Meanwhile, as part of Spotify’s yearly #SpotifyWrapped, the streaming platform has released its most popular podcasts for 2021. The top five podcasts include The Joe Rogan Experience as the most popular podcast, followed by Call Her Daddy, Crime Junkie, TED Talks Daily and The Daily.
As well as revealing Spotify’s most streamed podcasts, the list also features the top artists, songs and albums globally. You can view the full list here.
Find more podcast related content on the HeadStuff Podcast Section – News, Reviews, Interviews and How-To Guides for all you podcasters out there.
