Audible Inks Viola Davis' Podcast Venture To Multi-Year Exclusive Deal

Davis (Photo: DFree / Shutterstock.com)

AUDIBLE has inked a new podcast label co-founded by VIOLA DAVIS to a multi-project exclusive deal. ASHÉ AUDIO VENTURES, formed by DAVIS and JULIUS TENNON's JUVEE PRODUCTIONS and MAURÍCIO and KATIE MOTA's WISE ENTERTAINMENT, will begin releasing new podcasts through AUDIBLE in 2024. DAVIS' audiobook for "FINDING ME" won a GRAMMY this year.

DAVIS said, “After the outpouring of love for FINDING ME, I'm excited for the opportunities that ASHÉ AUDIO VENTURES and AUDIBLE will create for memorable stories to be both explored and celebrated in a meaningful new way -- a way that spans borders and connects us to a shared human experience.”

MAURÍCIO MOTA ... more »

New Podcast Tells Story Of South African Serial Killing Cult

Debuts Today

HEARTPODCASTS and SCHOOL OF HUMANS have launched a 10-part true crime podcast on the cult leader dubbed the "CHARLES MANSON of SOUTH AFRICA." "QUEEN HAVOC AND HER MURDER CULT," hosted by filmmaker KURT KUBICEK, tells the story of CECELIA STEYN and her "ELECTUS PER DEUS" cult that murdered 11 people in four years.

The show is debuting TODAY (5/30) with two episodes; subsequent episodes will be posted weekly on TUESDAYS.

iHeartMedia Promos, The Home Depot Top Media Monitors Top 10 National Radio Advertisers List For May 22-29

With the MEMORIAL DAY weekend in play, iHEARTMEDIA promos not only remained at the top of MEDIA MONITORS' list of top 10 national radio advertisers again for MAY 22-28 but the number of spots aired ballooned from 84,170 to 127,558 week-to-week. iHEART also landed in tenth place with promos for the "FREEWAY PHANTOM" podcast. The top paid advertiser this week was THE HOME DEPOT, swapping slots with PROGRESSIVE.

The list:

1. iHEARTRADIO (last week #1; 1275558 instances)
2. THE HOME DEPOT (#3; 69806)
3. PROGRESSIVE (#2; 49922)
4. UPSIDE (#4; 43343)
5. ZIPRECRUITER (#5; 41243)
6. BABBEL (#6; 37849)
7. LOWE'S (#8; 35214)
8. NHTSA NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (#12; 27202)
9. VERIZON WIRELESS (#30; 27162)
10. FREEWAY PHANTOM PODCAST (--; 26784)

Benztown Presents Two More Episodes Of 'Chachi Loves Everybody' Podcast

Mark Wallengren

BENZTOWN released two new episodes of "CHACHI Loves Everybody," an original podcast featuring the company's President DAVE "CHACHI" DENES. 

The first new episode features CHACHI’s recent chat with MARK WALLENGREN, former host of “The MARK & KIM Show” on KOST/L.A., for which he and his co-host KIM AMIDON received a star on the HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME. 

CHACHI doubles down with radio’s most prominent figures, as he talks to SCOTT HERMAN, former Chief Operating Officer of CBS RADIO, in the second new episode. 

To listen to both, go here.

LiveOne Signs Letter Of Intent To Acquire Kast Media

Acquisition Target

LIVEONE has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire podcast network KAST MEDIA in an all-stock deal with the price not disclosed.

“Our goal is to entertain, inform and inspire through our shows, and LIVEONE has the infrastructure, reach, and operational excellence to take that mission to the next level,” said KAST CEO COLIN THOMSON. “LIVEONE’s commitment to our premium original podcasts will allow us to expand IP development and production to increase our original owned content slate. We look forward to completing the deal and working shoulder to shoulder with the impressive team at LIVEONE.”

LIVEONE CEO/Chairman ROB ELLIN said “LIVEONE has long admired KAST MEDIA’s roster of top-notch podcast programming, their host talent and their development in IP. Through this collaboration with COLIN and his team, we expect to deliver a slate of original programming with an eye toward second window TV.”

'Soul Sessions With Amanda Rieger Green' Joins Amy Brown Podcast Network

New Weekly Podcast

Spiritualist and psychic AMANDA RIEGER GREEN is hosting a new podcast for PREMIERE NETWORKS and “THE BOBBY BONES SHOW” co-host AMY BROWN’s AMY BROWN PODCAST NETWORK. “SOUL SESSIONS WITH AMANDA RIEGER GREEN” will post weekly on WEDNESDAYS.

“AMANDA is truly talented at helping people discover their full potential,” said BROWN. “I couldn’t be happier to welcome her to the network as she guides listeners who want to live a more fulfilling life.”

“I’m excited to share the ‘SOUL SESSIONS’ podcast and ignite a divine spark, a higher vibrational frequency in the minds and hearts of listeners,” added GREEN. “May it be faith building, fear healing and healthfully contagious, in the most healthful uplifting of ways. I’m so thankful to AMY and her exceptionally talented podcast team for this opportunity.”

Acast Releases Research On Podcast Ad Effectiveness For U.S. Marketers

ACAST has released a research study on podcast advertising effectiveness in the U.S., showing 67% of marketers claiming a $2-$6 return for every dollar spent on podcasts, with an additional 20% claiming a return of over $6. In addition, 68% of the marketers said that their second podcast ad campaigns had higher budgets than their first. 51% said that investing in large podcasts delivers the best return on ad spend, but listeners to small-sized shows were 90% more likely to be receptive to more ads on the podcast and 19% more likely to say podcast ads were very influential.

“There may have never been a more crucial time than now for marketers ... more »

PodcastOne To Stream Live Adam Carolla Pay-Per-View Event

Carolla

PODCASTONE will stream a pay-per-view video event with ADAM CAROLLA on JUNE 4th. "ADAM CAROLLA & FRIENDS" will be held live at the BELLY UP TAVERN in SOLANA BEACH, CA and will feature comics BRAD WILLIAMS and KIMBLES HUME.

PODCASTONE Pres. KIT GRAY said, “We are excited that PODCASTONE and LIVEONE have partnered with ADAM to produce and distribute ADAM’s very first headlining pay-per-view event. Very few comedians are as entertaining in an intimate club environment as ADAM. Each show he performs is unique and tailored and to be able to bring this to a worldwide audience exemplifies how we’re able to create opportunities for our podcast hosts outside of the traditional audio driven mediums.”

CAROLLA said, “I am delighted that LIVEONE and PODCASTONE have created this new PPV opportunity for ADAM CAROLLA PODCAST fans to enjoy an evening of comedy with me, KIMBLES HUME and the great BRAD WILLIAMS live from one of the best live performance venues in the country at BELLY UP in SOLANA BEACH, CALIFORNIA!”

Edison Research Expands Edison Podcast Metrics Rankers To The U.K.

U.K. Charts On The Way

EDISON RESEARCH is adding the U.K. to the list of territories covered by its EDISON Podcast Metrics rankers. The company announced the addition at THE PODCAST SHOW in LONDON; the initial survey with data from second quarter 2023 will be available sometime in third quarter. In advance of the rankers, EDISON released a top five podcast list based on APRIL 2023 research, with THE DIARY OF A CEO WITH STEVEN BARTLETT, THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE, OFF MENU WITH ED GAMBLE AND JAMES ACASTER, THE REST IS POLITICS, and SHAGGED MARRIED ANNOYED leading the chart.

SVP MELISSA KIESCHE said, “We are incredibly enthusiastic about the expansion of EDISON Podcast Metrics to the U.K.. We have seen how beneficial the data has been to those in the podcast industry in the U.S. and we are looking forward to seeing the thriving podcast community in the U.K. take advantage of this research."

Canadaland Signs First Look Deal With Entertainment One, Inks Julie Shapiro As Advisor

New Deals

The CANADALAND podcast network is expanding into television with a multi-year first-look deal with ENTERTAINMENT ONE (eONE) that will seek to adapt CANADALAND podcasts into scripted and non-scripted television, limited series and documentaries.  eONE and CANADALAND teamed with RYAN MCMAHON on the CRAVE documentary series "THUNDER BAY," which also aired on CTV. In addition, CANADALAND has added former PRX VP/Editorial and RADIOTOPIA Exec. Producer JULIE SHAPIRO as an advisor.

“Working with ENTERTAINMENT ONE on THUNDER BAY has shown us that they are just as dedicated to telling incredible, true Canadian stories as we are,” said CANADALAND ... more »

'MrBallen's Medical Mysteries' Coming From Wondery Later This Year

The first product of YOUTUBE personality JOHN "MRBALLEN" ALLEN's first-look production deal with WONDERY is a new podcast. "MRBALLEN’S MEDICAL MYSTERIES," set to launch later this year. The show, first announced at THE PODCAST SHOW in LONDON, will first debut on AMAZON MUSIC and WONDERY+ before being available on other platforms.

WONDERY Chief Content Officer MARSHALL LEWY said, “MRBALLEN PODCAST: STRANGE, DARK & MYSTERIOUS STORIES is one of the top-ranked podcasts on AMAZON MUSIC, and the BALLEN team has been one of our closest collaborators. We’re thrilled to build on this collaboration with a new show that continues to dive into areas ... more »

Spotify Tops Edison Research's Podcast Network Rankings For Fourth Quarter 2022-First Quarter 2023

EDISON RESEARCH has issued its quarterly ranking of the top podcast networks by reach, and SPOTIFY is in the lead for the period encompassing fourth quarter 2022 through first quarter 2023.

The top 10, ranked by reach as a percentage of the weekly podcasting audience and defined by the producer or sales network representing the show:

1. SPOTIFY
2. SIRIUSXM PODCAST NETWORK
3. IHEARTRADIO
4. WONDERY/AUDIBLE/AMAZON MUSIC
5. AUDIOBOOM
6. THE NEW YORK TIMES
7. NPR
8. AUDACY
9. PRX
10. CUMULUS PODCAST NETWORK

Podbean Presents 'Vietnamese Boat People' Live Virtual Event

Podbean's Vietnamese Boat People Series

PODBEAN is presenting the "VIETNAMESE Boat People" podcast, created by TRACEY NGUYEN MANG, in which the VIETNAMESE people share their family stories and encourage others to listen and learn about their families' past experiences. The latest season of the podcast, "Ba Me Oi," focuses on uncovering stories about parents and preserving stories within the VIETNAMESE diaspora.

The live virtual event takes place TUESDAY, MAY 30th at 6p (ET)/3p (PT) on YOUTUBE and LINKEDIN. Register for free here. 

The "Journey Of Hope: The Story Of VIETNAMESE Boat People" event will feature a discussion with TRACEY NGUYEN MANG, who will share her reasons for starting the podcast, how she was able to gather community support, her experience creating a non-profit from the podcast and using the power of storytelling to connect us across cultures and generations. 

PODBEAN CEO DAVID XU commented, "We're excited to be hosting the 'Journey Of Hope: The Story Of VIETNAMESE Boat People' event and celebrating the power of storytelling and AAPI cultural heritage. This is an opportunity to learn about the important work of the 'VIETNAMESE Boat People' podcast, to meet the creators and to share how podcasting can be used to inspire communities and connect generations."

'Radio Rally' Podcast Episode To Examine Motor Racing Network/FMR Associates Study Of 'Next Gen' NASCAR Fans

Study

MOTOR RACING NETWORK and FMR ASSOCIATES’ “Next Gen Era NASCAR Consumer Study“ will be examined in a special edition of consultant LOYD FORD’s “THE ENCOURAGERS’ THE RADIO RALLY” podcast on THURSDAY (5/25). MRN’s BOB QUICK, FMR’s KENT PHILLIPS, and former iHEARTMEDIA Country WKKT (96.9 THE KAT)/CHARLOTTE personality MEG BUTTERLY will join FORD to discuss the results.

“We knew we would see some strong indicators about this audience, but this research floored us,” said QUICK. “It was even more surprising what we found out about Top 40 and other formats we didn’t think of as having large NASCAR fan bases. The NASCAR fan base is larger and more diverse than people think. Reading this study is about really understanding the 21st Century NASCAR audience.”

“This isn’t just incredible data for stations who already carry NASCAR or sellers sharing sponsorship opportunities. This new data makes a very powerful case that a variety of stations you may not expect should consider the new NASCAR audience realities before their competition does,” said FORD. “On May 25, 2023, we are going to share the important bullet points of this new study and open some eyes.”

Region 12 Murrow Awards Winners Announced

The RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION has announced the winners of the 2023 EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS for Region 12, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, and WASHINGTON, D.C.. The regional winners move on to the national awards competition with those winners announced in AUGUST.

The Region 12 radio winners:

Large Market

Breaking News Coverage: HUBBARD News WTOP/WASHINGTON, "ROE Versus WADE: Overturned"
Continuing Coverage: HEARST News-Talk WBAL-A-W268BA/BALTIMORE, "The Stricker Street Fire and its Fallout"
Digital: WBAL
Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: YOUR PUBLIC RADIO News-Talk WYPR/BALTIMORE, "PASS THE MIC - Pride Episode"
Excellence in ... more »