As podcast listening hits a new high, Spreaker goes free

• Podcast hosting company Spreaker is now free, claiming that it is “the first ever professional-level podcast platform” to be available at no cost. Features like unlimited storage and programmatic monetisation, previously only available in an enterprise package from the iHeart-owned platform, are now free for all podcast creators. The release describes existing free alternatives as “mediocre” and “very basic”. Here’s a deep-dive into their platform from Sounds Profitable.

UPDATE: Hmm: Spreaker’s “free professional hosting”, promised in a press release that we linked to above, appears to be just a small tweak to the company’s already existing free plan. After the press release’s title, “Spreaker goes free”, and the first paragraph, “Starting today, creators can use Spreaker’s professional podcast platform at zero cost,” we were misled into believing this was a new offer. Sorry.

• Podcast listening has hit record highs, according to The Infinite Dial® from Edison Research: now, 120mn Americans are listening to podcasts at least once a month (above); weekly podcast listening also increased. Find an infographic with podcast data below, watch the webinar, or download the full deck.

• Paid-for podcast host Libsyn released a financial statement for 2022. The podcast hosting and monetisation platform says it made $58.7mn in revenue; including more than $33mn from advertising.

• Veritone released the company’s 2022 financial results. The company saw a revenue increase of 30% y/y.

• Marketing Brew covers a method that means advertisers can use their own first-party data to help target their podcast ads. Theoretically it means Geico insurance can avoid advertising to new customers; and target those who are close to renewal.

• The winners of the Spanish-language 2023 Ondas World Podcast Awards were announced. There will be a ceremony on May 3 in Malaga.

• Eric Nuzum advises us to learn lessons from Spotify, rather than just whine about them.

Podcast News

In the Podnews Weekly Review, details of beer in Las Vegas (and a live taping of the show), and Steve Pratt joins James and Sam to talk about his role as an 'attention strategist’. Also, discover how to start using Podfans today. It’s sponsored by Buzzsprout (though Spotify added another sponsor today too).

Podcast Bestie launches today from Courtney Kocak, and her first guest is Podnews’s Editor, James Cridland. James seems to like mentioning fish and chips a lot.

Your cut out and keep guide to The Infinite Dial® 2023