Coronavirus podcasts spreading globally
Audio is one of the best ways to distribute information quickly around the globe, and there is plenty of information out there in podcast world on the coronavirus. Here is a quick guide to just some of what is on offer:
Coronacast
A daily podcast from the ABC health unit answering questions about the virus with Tegan Taylor and Dr Norman Swan. 10 episodes so far.
Global Truths with Dr Keith Suter
Last month the PodcastOne global affairs specialist used history and political science to examine the Coronavirus outbreak in two episodes – “Killer epidemics of the 20th century” and “The economic impact of the Coronavirus outbreak”.
Coronavirus: Fact vs Fiction
Join CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta for the latest news about the coronavirus. 10 episodes so far.
Coronavirus Daily
A daily news podcast from NPR in the US that launched this week about the coronavirus pandemic, covering all dimensions of the story from science to economics and politics as well as society and culture. Hosted by Kelly McEvers from Embedded.
The Coronavirus Podcast
BBC News brings listeners the latest on the global coronavirus outbreak, featuring correspondents and expert guests.
Coronavirus 411
Coronavirus 411 podcast provides daily updates, news, alerts, and information regarding the Corona virus COVID 19. Coronavirus 411 collects Information from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) the World Health Organization (WHO) and other news sources. This information is aimed to help people stay informed and updated about Coronavirus with just the facts. 56 episodes so far!
COVID-19: What You Need to Know
Each day, ABC News (USA) answers questions about COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus. ABC’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton and other experts respond directly to questions submitted by listeners and viewers.
Executive coach Margie Hartley on rebuilding Australia
Executive coach Margie Hartley speaks with Australia’s top psychologists and mental health experts on this new PodcastOne series to help guide people through the mental effects the bushfires may have had and seeks advise on how to manage the different feelings and emotions that might pop up. Whether it’s managing anxiety around the uncertainty surrounding bushfires, learning how to deal with the grief and loss suffered during the bushfires, or advice around how to speak to children about what has happened, these experts alongside Hartley will help listeners understand they’re not alone and that help is out there.
Guests in the four episodes now online are CEO of Beyond Blue, Georgie Harman, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Professor Brett McDermott, Head of Crisis Services and Quality at Lifeline, Rachel Bowes, and ‘The Friendly Psychologist’ Jacqui Manning.
Other podcasts at PodcastOne from Hartley are Fast Track: Career Conversations, and Superwomen We Ain’t with Janine Allis.
Listen to Rebuilding Australia here.
iHeart Podcast Network expanding Australian library
ARN only recently launched iHeartPodcasts Australia, but it has already been making an impact. ARN’s Commercial Product and Audio Partnerships Director Corey Layton told Mediaweek it was using its market-leading ARN radio stations to promote the shows and to help with discovery. “It can be hard for podcasts to be discovered and to grow the audience. There is so much choice, but we have the opportunity through the radio stations to guide listeners to our content.”
Life Uncut is one of the early podcast successes where iHeartPodcasts Australia has a partnership with hosts, ex-Bachelor contestants Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley. The series ranked #21 in the latest Podcast Ranker.
A more recent launch is Ordineroli Speaking with former Fox Sports host and reporter Neroli Meadows. “Within days of launching it became Australia’s #1 sports podcast,” said Layton. “Neroli is an incredible talent and we are very lucky to be working with her.”
Layton has been looking for new opportunities and added: “We are also very open for established content creators to come to us.”
Part of the role of the Australian business is to help promote US podcasts from the iHeartPodcast Network. “Audiences enjoy podcasts from all around the world, not just Australia. They don’t ignore international podcasts, just like they don’t ignore international films or TV series.” Layton said close to 80% of podcasts subscribed to by Australians were international podcasts. Half of the Australian podcasts subscribed to come from the ABC, he added.
“The iHeartPodcast international data gives us some clear indicators as to what podcasts will and won’t work. It is not an exact science however, and you need to use gut instinct as well.”
Part of the search for new titles is not just podcasts that will engage with audiences, but that will also let brands integrate into.
Layton wasn’t about to reveal any new signings. “We are just getting started and there is some great content to come as the Australian industry continues to grow. We have a number of projects underway so watch this space.”
Michael Idato returns to podcasting in The Televisionaries
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have launched three new podcasts in 2020, offering listeners a whole new range of audio from our newsrooms.
The titles are Good Weekend Talks, The Televisionaries and Naked City, in addition to the relaunch of Real Footy and the expansion of the weekly news podcast Please Explain.
Read more about the launches here.
Of most interest to this column is The Televisionaries, a podcast from critics at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age dedicated to all things TV. The series has started with host Louise Rugendyke who was joined by reviewers for The Guide and Green Guide, Michael Idato and Kylie Northover.
In the days of podcasting, Idato was a semi-regular guest on Mediaweek podcasts and it is great to see him back giving his insights and commentary from his Hollywood base.
Listen to The Televisionaries here.
Buy a property with Kochie
The very prolific David Koch has recently launched yet another podcast series with PodcastOne. On Kochie’s Property Ladder he takes listeners through all they need to know to get their dream home and at the best price. He delivers his tips on how to best climb the property ladder and become a savvy property investor by telling how to recognise the up and coming areas for property investment, how to manage a rental property with minimal fuss and what is needed to be done to sell property for the best price.
Kochie’s other podcasts are Kochie’s Easy Steps to Financial Success and Kochie’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business.
Listen to Kochie’s Property Ladder here.
