PodMov Daily: Wednesday, March 3

Episode 382: Your Midweek Update

Pod Culture: Podcasts Are Videos, and Videos Are Podcasts

Nick Hilton watches a lot of YouTube. One of the UK’s top current affairs podcast producers, Hilton observes in Pod Culture that the video-audio boundary is blurring: “In terms of current digital media delivery mechanisms, YouTube has the whip hand over podcasts.” Is resistance futile? He makes a strong case.

In terms of content, YouTube was never very far away from podcasts. Now, a growing sub-category of podcasts are auxiliary content for video-first producers. Hilton sees that “old school podcasting looks increasingly leaden-footed” compared to the innovative presentation attracting millions of viewers.

Hilton points to Watchtime, a podcast about (and on) YouTube, to show the strategy of platform overlap. “It’s painfully clear: video podcasts are going to get bigger and bigger in the next few years, and you can either rage against the tide or embrace the fact that podcasts are videos, and videos are podcasts.”

PM Update: Resources, Tools, and Opportunities

This week’s update is about free podcasting resources, like Podcast Movement University events coming up this month. (Have you heard? PMU is tuition-free!) Sign up to join live talks from industry experts like Libsyn’s Elsie Escobar, co-founder of She Podcasts, and Blubrry CEO Todd Cochrane. 

Our 5-part article series with Facebook is in full swing. Curated for podcasters, each one covers a different category of tools on Facebook and Instagram. Community building and subscriptions and revenue are now live. Keep an eye out on March 15 for a guide to long-form Live video.

In other news, the PM 2021 speaker submission portal be open until the end of the month. Send in your best work for a chance to share your expertise alongside industry experts this August in Nashville. The portal closes on March 31 and all applicants will be notified of a decision by April 30.

Now’s the time to plan for August, dear readers. Scoot those boots over to registration for the best possible deal, now until midnight.

Here's what else is going on:

• Pod racers: According to a new market forecast, Spotify’s U.S. podcast listenership will surpass Apple Podcasts for the first time this year. Sarah Perez of TechCrunch has the numbers: Spotify is expected to reach 28.2 million per month, a slim margin over Apple Podcasts’ 2 million.

• Learning curve: AIR Media has launched a digital training platform for podcasters and audio makers of all skill levels. SoundPath will offer pre-recorded and live video classes and 1:1 coaching led by industry peers. Use code MYSOUNDPATH for 15% off AIR membership until March 23.

• Climb on: This Saturday, March 6, StreamYard and Blk Pod Collective host an all-day virtual event for independent creators. The Business of Podcasting Summit features workshops, panels, and expert speakers like Donald Albright (Tenderfoot TV) and Gary Coichy (Pod Digital Media).

• Bar hopping: This Friday, Audiotrain will host “True Crime Podcasts: Legal 101.” Media lawyer Clare Hoban gives podcasters a practical look at how to keep content legally safe, from gathering evidence to broadcasting allegations. 2:00 pm GMT / 8:00 am CT. Webinar tickets are £5.00.