How big is the global podcast market? Justin Jackson's research website has increased its estimates. It now suggests that 2024 has seen around $3-3.4bn in global ad sales, that the hosting business is worth around $100-150m and the podcast events and conferences are worth around $15-20m. The estimates don't include YouTube, sources are given and it's open for others to contribute.
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 Notebook LM. Some people suggest it's a little better, we've noticed the voices sound a little different.
Meanwhile in Google Notebook LM you can now talk to the AI podcast hosts, which you can't do with the AI podcast hosts in Illuminate AI. There is a strategy here, if only we could see it. Talk easy with Sam Fargoso is to switch from Pushkin to Lemonada Media. It'll begin releasing episodes under the Lemonada banner on January 5th. 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. Audioflux is hosting its first ever fundraiser. 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 global podcast prize has been extended to January 7th.
Red Circle published its podcast trends in 2024, and a day after Podnews revealed layoffs and impaired operations at TuneIn, Radio France has signed a distribution deal with Radioline. One of the things it says is that it's based on a commitment that guarantees Radio France a controlled and respectful distribution of its content. And in podcast news, the New Hampshire podcast Seacoast Stories now has a beer named after it.
Loaded Question Brewing of Portsmouth in New Hampshire 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 really only know if they send us some.
Lava for Good's wrongful conviction will be available in more than 1,000 prisons across the US, after a partnership with learning platform Edovo, "We're helping to educate and inspire incarcerated learners on their journey towards justice and redemption," said Lava for Good's CEO Jason Flom. The It Is What It Is podcast has announced a US and Canadian tour. The show features Platinum selling recording artists Maze and Cameron 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, hosted by Fatima Zaidi and Jason Maghanoy. 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 suddenly back in the Premier League and with owners keen to capitalise on the momentum built over the last three years. This podcast is sponsored by CBC and from CBC, Understood goes deep into current events, people and cultural moments shaping society.
The episodes span four episodes, they're hosted by journalists with an existing expertise on the story and CBC is now accepting pitches for seasons of the show. If you're interested in that, you'll find the link in our show notes and that's the latest from our newsletter. To read all the stories and subscribe, we're at podnews.net.