Getting with The Program: ads for a podcast in an unusual place

• Exclusive: “I couldn’t bring myself to advertise my podcast on Facebook on moral grounds,” says IMS, the producer of The Program. He tells Podnews today that he advertised his podcast somewhere else instead: with a happy ending.

• What kind of audio will listeners pay to subscribe to? Signal Hill Insights points to some data - for both podcasting and for broadcast radio, which is, too, selling subscriptions.

• Last August, we reported that Anchor was hosting pirate podcasts; and today Jake Warren says that Message Heard’s Finding Natasha is one of those - copied and available, with a random piece of generic art, on Anchor, then syndicated to Apple and Spotify. Curiously, the Anchor pirate has edited the audio to remove any mention of Message Heard…

• It’s been a month since the new Apple Podcasts Connect was launched. Is it fixed yet? Doesn’t look like it. Marco Arment reports that ATP, his podcast, disappeared entirely for a while and he can’t log into Apple Podcasts Connect. After a month, we can’t see any analytics at all (“not enough data”, yet Apple Podcasts gave us 359 downloads on Tuesday).

  • We’re also seeing this sort of feedback, which is heartbreaking (and concerning): “This is my sole source of income and 4 out of my 5 podcasts have now disappeared completely from Apple Podcasts. The shows can’t be found in search, the Apple Podcasts URL on the web just shows 'connecting,' and Podcasts Connect says 'we’re setting up your account.'”

• Google Reader lives?! Google Chrome is testing a 'follow’ button in the browser, which allows you to “get the latest and greatest from your favorite sites directly in Chrome, building on the open RSS web standard”. No word on whether it works on podcasts; but if you’re using Powerpress or similar, this could be a game-changer.

• Apple announced a number of accessibility improvements for iOS; but didn’t announce any live captioning. Those appear to remain only available for desktop users of Chrome and Android phones.

• Deezer announced an Apple Watch app. However, it doesn’t support podcasts.

• Hindenburg has announced a free conference, called “AirShip One”. Speakers include Eric Nuzum and Tom Webster. Here’s a link to register; all attendees get 40% off their audio editor.

• Notifications from Apple Podcasts are getting quite brutal.

Thank you to Sound Media, which launched recently and has become our latest Podnews supporter. Support for Podnews in this way allows us proper independence, and lets us investigate things like whether Apple or Spotify is really biggest without worrying about upsetting advertisers. Thank you for your support.

Tips and tricks - with Sounder․fm

• On Sounder: Huddle Up With Gus Former NFL quarterback, Gus Frerotte talks with guests about when they fell in love with sports, how sports taught them to overcome adversity and help shape their path to success.
• 5 recording tips for the at-home podcaster from Squadcast includes the advice to make sure you’re using your microphone correctly.
• How do you record your podcast when you don’t feel motivated? We Edit Podcasts suggest a number of techniques, including discipline and treats.

Podcast News - with HubSpot Podcast Network

From the HubSpot Podcast Network: Being Boss is an exploration of what it takes to be boss as a creative business owner, entrepreneur, freelancer, or side-hustler.

We’ve been listening to The Lazarus Heist from the BBC World Service: a story about a North Korean hacking group with quite the skills.

We’ve also been enjoying Jools and Jim’s Joyride, musician Jools Holland and comedian Jim Moir chatting with showbiz friends about their travels. Especially, enjoying the fake and surreal sponsors.

And, Hamish and Andy’s Remembering Project - two former radio hosts looking back at a feature they ran on a random day in the last 20 years. It’s a fun look into the back-office of radio.