Acast launches new podcast host, Acast Open

• Acast has launched its own podcast host, called Acast Open. The service offers three tiers, one of which is free; and adds automated episode transcription and an audiogram tool. If you’re on Acast Open and you become large enough, you may be invited to be monetized by the company, too. The product replaces Pippa, which they purchased earlier in the year.

  • Pricing shows that the 'Starter’ pack is free, including analytics, a podcast website and embeddable player. You can host multiple shows with it; you’ll be given a 301 Redirect if you want to leave; and you are allowed to sell adverts in your podcast.
  • We’ve reviewed the terms - the only unusual term is §7.1: you can’t have ads on your podcast that promote a competitor of Acast. We’ve updated our unusual clauses page with this, though it seems fair enough.

• The Joe Rogan Experience is the most popular podcast in the US, according to the first data from Edison Research’s Podcast Consumer Tracker. The report also says that 54% of podcast listeners listen to independent podcasts every week.

• Google has announced an alternative for the daily news briefing service on Google Assistant (“Hey, Google, Play Me The News”) - “Your News Update” offers a personalised mix of individual stories from publishers instead. It has initially launched in the US. This is bad news for some podcasters, who have got significant traffic from the older News Briefings service.

  • You can add Podnews to News Briefings on Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa speakers, and wake up with us every morning.
  
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• The Last Podcast On The Left is going to become a Spotify exclusive. It had previously signed with Rooster Teeth. Spotify has also announced a slate of new podcasts.

  • The Hollywood Reporter carries a long interview with Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and content chief Dawn Ostroff.

• The Podcast Number is a new service for hand curated podcast recommendations delivered weekly via SMS. You can text 347 815-9536 to get started (so we guess it’s for US/Canada only).

• Registration prices for Podcast Movement 2020 and Podcast Movement Evolutions both go up on Cyber Monday. You probably want to book now.

• Podcast host Whooshkaa is to work with Astro Radio, Malaysia’s radio network, to enable on-demand audio across four different languages and 17.3m weekly listeners.

• Lasso Audio claims it is the first ever talent and management agency for podcasters, helping audio creators negotiate their contracts and expand their audiences and stories through other types of media.

  
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• Bossjock Jr, a podcast and audio recording app for iPhone and iPad, has added software gain control for compatibility with more USB microphones.

• Event: Audible Live: The Sun King in London, Wed November 27, is a panel event with David Dimbleby and journalists about Rupert Murdoch, to accompany The Sun King podcast.

Tips and tricks - with Acast Open

• Holidays are coming, holidays are coming… but should your podcast take a break over the holidays? Kate Young from Share Your Genius has some options to consider while you consider the turkey.

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• Search Engine Optimisation, or SEO, is important for your podcast, too. Rachel Corbett writes a beginner’s guide to podcast SEO to help more people find what you’re working on.

We’re grateful to Acast Open for their support of this new section. Suggestions of good advice welcome, to editor@podnews.net

Podcast News - with Spreaker Prime

Spreaker Prime: You’ve heard the stories about bloody murder and horrendous homicide, but what about the rest of the crimes committed on a daily basis? The podcast Mugshot brings you stories about the crimes you didn’t know you needed to hear… Robbery, fraud, arson, stalking, assault, and more. They’re using Spreaker Prime to earn money and cut their hosting costs.

As part of the digital side of Book Week Scotland, the Scottish Book Trust has launched their Conversations podcast. Produced by BAFTA-nominated podcaster Ewan Spence, the short-run series brings together writers, poets, and storytellers to talk about home, readling, childhood, and language.

The second official WWE podcast is coming on December 2nd. The New Day: Feel The Power is a weekly podcast from The New Day’s Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E. (WWE / Endeavor Audio / Megaphone)