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• How big is the global podcast market? Justin Jackson’s research website has increased its estimates. It suggests that 2024 saw around $3-3.4bn in global ad-sales; that the hosting business is worth around $100-150mn, and that podcast events and conferences are worth $15-20mn. The estimates don’t include YouTube. Sources are given: and it’s open for others to contribute. The IAB estimated US podcast ad revenue at $1.95bn for 2023.
• Google has launched a new tool made to “transform your content into AI-generated audio discussions”. And, in much the same way as the company has five different messaging apps, this one is called Google Illuminate AI, which seems to be much the same as another product from the company, Google NotebookLM. Some people suggest it’s a little better; we’ve noticed the voices sound a little different. Meanwhile, in Google NotebookLM, you can now talk to the AI podcast hosts, which you can’t do with the AI podcast hosts in Illuminate AI. There’s a strategy here, if only we could see it.
• Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is to switch from Pushkin to Lemonada Media. It will begin releasing episodes under the Lemonada banner on January 5th.

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• In New York, Colture Podcast Network has welcomed SickBird Productions to its slate. The female-led production company adds four titles to Colture’s roster.
• Audio Flux is holding its first-ever fund-raiser. The page contains details of what the organisation has achieved over the past year, including more than 160 different audio works.
• The deadline for nominations for the Spanish-language Premios Ondas Globales del Podcast has been extended to Jan 7. ¡Buena suerte!
• A day after Podnews revealed layoffs and impaired operations at TuneIn, Radio France has signed a distribution deal with Radioline. “This balanced partnership relationship is based on commitments that guarantee Radio France a controlled and respectful distribution of its content.”
• RedCircle published its Podcast Trends in 2024.

Tips and tricks

• Hindenburg’s storytelling Advent Calendar yesterday covered editing morals and ethics. (One of the criticisms about AI tools is that they can “fake” what a guest says - but, guess what, so can a good audio editor...)

Podcast News

• The New Hampshire podcast Seacoast Stories now has a beer named after it. Loaded Question Brewing of Portsmouth NH has made it in collaboration with the podcast. We're told it's a clean IPA bursting with notes of orange, papaya and grapefruit, balanced with a touch of dankness and caramel, but we'll only really know if they send us some.
• Lava for Good's Wrongful Conviction will be available in more than a thousand prisons across the US, after a partnership with learning platform Edovo. "We’re helping to educate and inspire incarcerated learners on their journeys toward justice and redemption," said CEO Jason Flom.
• The It Is What It Is podcast has announced a US and Canadian tour. The show features platinum-selling recording artists Ma$e and Cam’ron with Treasure "Stat Baby" Wilson; all shows will be recorded for a live episode, with surprise guests in each city.
• A new podcast focusing on Canadian business, The Moment, has been announced by Quill and Canadian Business. The new podcast series that brings listeners inside the pivotal moments that define the journeys of Canada’s most innovative founders and entrepreneurs - and will be hosted by Fatima Zaidi and Jason Maghanoy. It starts next month.
• How important are English football clubs to the communities they serve? Rolling With The Punches looks at Ipswich Town FC, a football club worth over 200 million pounds, suddenly back in the Premier League, and with owners keen to capitalise on the momentum built over the last three years.

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