Compiled by Trent Thomas
Rachel Withers on Schwartz Media and SCA’s first co-production
Schwartz Media and SCA’s LiSTNR have announced their first podcast co-production, The Politics Podcast following a strategic partnership in 2021.
The Politics Podcast is hosted by The Monthly’s Rachel Withers and will be published at 6pm each weekday evening. Launching in the lead up to the federal election, The Politics Podcast is designed to cut through the spin and give listeners the information they need.
Podcast Week’s Trent Thomas caught up with Withers to talk about being the host of this project.
“It’s been a couple of months in the process to get this up and running and it’s very cool that we got it going before the election,” said Withers.
When asked about her involvement in this collaboration, Withers said that she was brought in once the deal between the two broadcasters was struck.
“It was a deal first between Schwartz and LiSTNR and then it was a matter of bringing me on board. I’ve got a contact there that I have been working with on the production. I have a background in podcasting it was just working out what was happening on my end and what was happening on their end.”
When asked about what her approach will be to content with the federal election looming, Withers said it will be similar to her column for the monthly which is also called The Politics.
“To be able to give people an understanding of the moments from the day that really matters and put them in context, and show them how they fit together and be able to call them out as liars or call out bullshit if that’s what it is. I’m excited to bring it to a new medium, and hopefully, a whole new audience.”
Creatively, Withers said that she is given a lot of freedom from Schwartz Media and LiSTNR.
“I have a lot of freedom with both of them to offer the analysis that I think needs offering each day. Having a lot of freedom with both of them means that I am able to take the news and do what I think needs doing every day. And it’s a matter of writing it and reading it now.”
With the federal election taking up a big chunk of the show’s focus from its launch, Withers said the show will continue post-election but perhaps with a slightly different energy.
“It might be a little less intense because we have these periods of politics that are crazy, and this will be one of them. Both the column and the podcast will be continuing on to cover whoever the new government is and keep offering people the most important things they need to know from the day in politics.”
[Listen to The Politics Podcast here]
Podcast Ranker: March
Triton Digital has released its Podcast Ranker of Australia’s most popular podcasts for March 2022.
The Ranker provides insight into the Top 100 Podcasts as well as the Top 10 Publishers in Australia from 1 March through 31 March, 2022, as measured by Triton’s Podcast Metrics measurement service.
The Top Podcast Ranker and All-Australian Top 100 Ranker are ranked by monthly listeners, in accordance with the latest IAB Podcast Technical Measurement Guidelines.
Yet again, the top three publishers are ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia, LiSTNR (SCA), and Audioboom.
The top three podcasts for both the Top 100 Ranker and Top 100 All-Australian Ranker are Hamish & Andy (SCA’s LiSTNR), Casefile True Crime (Audioboom), and The Kyle & Jackie O Show (ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia).
There have been several debuts for the Top 100 Ranker from Twin Flames (Wondery), Allan & Carly – Hit WA (SCA’s LiSTNR), The Daily Aus (ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia), TOFOP (TOFOP Productions), and more.
Total downloads of all shows by all participating publishers in the month of March is 72.8M.
LiSTNR delivers record high in Podcast Ranker
The audience for LiSTNR shows a consistent month on month growth with a 48% increase in listeners, the best result for LiSTNR since the start of the CRA Podcast Ranker.
In the All Australian Ranker, LiSTNR had more podcasts in the Top 20 than any other publisher including It’s a Lot with Abbie Chatfield, The Howie Games, Rush Hour with JB and Billy, The Scorecard with Liam Flanagan, The Briefing and Just The Gist.
The Chaser hits 3 million listeners
In less than 12 months, The Chaser Report delivered its 3 millionth listener and secured a place in the Top 30 Australian podcasts in all genres, and Top 10 for Australian comedy podcasts.
“Oh, is that all?” host, Colin Firth, dismissed upon being told of the achievement. Dom Knight agreed that the number is, “Hardly worth getting out of bed for.” Bolt was unavailable for comment due to being preoccupied by selling out all tickets to her debut Melbourne comedy Festival show I Hope My Keyboard Doesn’t Break.
To celebrate hitting the same milestone Hamish & Andy achieve every hour, The Chaser Report team have decided to take a 2-week break to make preparations for their Election Edition limited-run, which will provide satiric coverage of the 2022 Australian Federal Election with stunts, sketches, and songs.
LiSTNR signs That’s Enough Already with Urzila Carlson
LiSTNR has announced the signing of the award-winning podcast That’s Enough Already with Urzila Carlson to its growing slate of LiSTNR comedy original podcasts.
That’s Enough Already with Urzila Carlson kicks off on LiSTNR with a brand-new third season, and there is no shortage of things pissing Urzila and her guests off and they are ready to spill the beans.
The acquisition of That’s Enough Already with Urzila Carlson joins LiSTNR’s ever-growing comedy original podcast vertical which has recently added Wil Anderson’s and Charlie Clausen’s 2 Guy’s 1 Cup alongside Hamish & Andy, Matt & Alex – All Day Breakfast, Halfternoons with Those Two Girls, and Rosie Waterland’s and Jacob Stanley’s Just The Gist.
Urzila Carlson said: “I’m thrilled to join the team, I’ve only heard good things, okay mostly good things but that’s good enough. LiSTNR said I can sit and have lunch at their table and that makes me very happy!”
[Listen to That’s Enough Already here]
Acast partners with Nielsen to release 2022 Sounds Smart Report
Acast has released the 2022 edition of its annual Sounds Smart Report. The report is Australia’s largest body of podcast-specific research, undertaken with the aim of uncovering why people are listening to podcasts, how and when they’re listening, and the impact podcast advertising is having for brands.
Acast commissioned Nielsen to survey 2,000 Australians aged 18+ who listen to podcasts at least once a month. The research focused on three key areas: consumption, engagement and receptivity.
The findings reveal:
• 39% of podcast listeners have increased their listening in the last six months and 30% plan to increase their consumption in the next six months
• Podcasting is one of the most immersive environments and a medium that genuinely captures attention. 60% said they are immersed/focused when listening to podcasts. Other audio channels, music streaming and commercial radio, sit at 33% and 22% respectively
• 30% of respondents considered buying or made purchases of a brand or product after hearing ads on podcasts compared to an equal 23% for both commercial radio and music streaming.
SBS launches Auslan video podcast series
To celebrate Auslan Day 2022, SBS has launched its first ever Auslan video podcast series, Our Deaf Ways, which celebrates and explores everyday life as a deaf person. The series is produced in partnership with Deaf Australia.
Episode one is available today in Auslan – with English voiceover and subtitles – on the SBS website, SBS Australia YouTube channel, Deaf Australia’s Vimeo, Apple Podcasts and Pocket Casts.
The six episode series features deaf people from all walks of life and all ages and is hosted by deaf advocate Shirley Liu. The series also features well-known figures including historian and linguist Darlene Thornton.
David Hua, director of audio and language content at SBS, said: “We are very proud to be marking Auslan Day with the launch of Our Deaf Ways. There is much diversity in the over 10,000 users of Auslan in Australia. SBS is committed to inclusive story-telling and building belonging in the community. We hope that this Australian first will spark an interest and create a pathway for more accessibility for Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing audiences.”
Deaf Australia’s CEO, Jen Blyth, added: “We are so excited to be partnering with SBS to produce and launch this video podcast. While designed for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing people who use Auslan, we also encourage hearing people to watch and listen to Our Deaf Ways for the insights it provides, helping audiences to understand and relate to the Deaf community more and appreciate the language and culture – essentially our Deaf ways!”
Mark Pesce’s The Next Billion Seconds podcast moves to Ampel
Independent podcast company Ampel has recruited futurist, entrepreneur and author Mark Pesce and his podcast, The Next Billion Seconds, to join its growing stable.
The Next Billion Seconds explores how the choices we all make today shape our tomorrow, and equips listeners with the information they need to make the best decisions about what’s next. The podcast stresses that the future has never been more important and will follow the businesses, people and innovations that are changing the world for the better.
This season will explore everything from the question of buying cryptocurrency, to whether a theoretical plot of land in the metaverse is worth more or less than a physical beachfront house in the real world which sits below sea level.
The Next Billion Seconds, as well as the mini spin-off series, are available for brand partnerships and sponsorships.
[Listen to The Next Billion Seconds here]
Spotify announces three new original podcasts and a new exclusive
With the growing cohort of podcast fanatics in Australia, Spotify has announced that April will be a bumper month for podcasts. The platform has announced three new original local podcasts and a new exclusive are coming to Spotify.
The new podcasts are:
Out of Character with Millie: Launching April 12, 2021 TikTok creator of the year, Millie Ford is leaving the staff lanyard at the door and is going beyond her well-loved personas to give listeners the chance to get to know the real her.
Ok, But What If?: Launching April 12, a podcast that asks a hypothetical question every single week, hosted by TikTok comedian Will Gibb and actor Tim Franklin. It will take you on a whacky journey to uncover What If.
Goes Alright: Launching April 19th, Youtube star Caden MacDonald interviews young AFL footballers, notable social media influencers, and general sport identities about their lives with the common thread being Aussie Rules.
Sooshi Mango Saucy Meatball: Exclusive on Spotify from April 27th, a podcast not about meatballs, brought to you by the Sooshi Mango boys, Carlo Salanitri, Joe Salanitri, and Andrew Manfre.
Meta launches new marketing podcast, Connected
Meta has launched a major new podcast series, titled Connected, that addresses the big questions that have shaped the marketing industry and explores the past, present and future in key areas of marketing, advertising and consumer behaviour.
The new season is hosted by HardHat founder and behavioural science guru Dan Monheit and features a range of industry luminaries giving their insights on these key topics.
Episodes will be available weekly across all major podcast platforms.
The 5-episode season explores the evolution of online advertising and how brands are adapting for a more transparent future, attention as a marketing metric and how messaging apps are creating new opportunities for brands with insight.
The guests featured in the new series include internet historian Brian McCullogh, IAB Australia CEO Gai Le Roy, social media strategist Meg Coffey, WPP AUNZ President Rose Herceg, Spotify’s Belle Taylor, science expert Dr Karen Nelson-Field, Coles CMO Lisa Ronson, globally renowned media strategist Faris Yakob, Warehouse Group CMO Jonathan Waecker and social researcher Claire Madden.
