PodMov Daily: Thursday, May 21

Episode 210: Your Thursday Podthoughts

The Infinite Dial: Australia's Expanding Podcast Landscape

Edison Research has released The Infinite Dial® Australia 2020, the fourth annual comprehensive study of the country’s digital media behavior, and its accompanying webinar. Fielded before virus-related disruptions, the survey consulted a “nationally representative” 1,014 individuals.

Among major findings: “Awareness of podcasting in Australia surpasses what is seen in the United States, as 87% of Australians are familiar with of podcasting compared to 75% of Americans.” Though 85% most often listen on portable devices, “home” is the location most Australians have consumed a podcast.

Providing another angle on the topic, Henrik Isaksson of Acast Australia and New Zealand muses on the lasting impacts the virus could leave on audio. Isaksson observes that “there’s an even greater influx of Aussie podcast content” as audience figures continue to skyrocket.

More Mija: Studio Ochenta Expands the Multilingual Podcast Universe

The Paris-based podcast company Studio Ochenta continues to pave the way for innovation in multilingual, cross-cultural storytelling. Founder and PM Evolutions keynote speaker Lory Martinez has announced a groundbreaking, expansive sequel to Studio Ochenta’s flagship show Mija Podcast.

Released last fall in English, French and Spanish, the original audio drama achieved international success. The multigenerational story of a Colombian-American family’s immigration to the US, it became a 2020 Webby Award honoree and reached #1 on the Apple fiction charts in Spain and France.

French independent producer Melanie Hong writes and hosts the new story of a Chinese immigrant family in France. “At the end of the first season, we realized that there wasn’t just one version of Mija in the world,” says Martinez. English, French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese versions launch May 27.

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Here's what else is going on:

• Stay awhile: According to Jon Fingas of Engadget, the BBC will be opening its Sounds app to non-BBC podcasts for the first time. By reducing demand for third-party apps, the public broadcaster aims to become a “one-stop shop for UK podcasting talent.”

• Wave pool: On Discover Pods, founder Kevin Goldberg offers a well-rounded take on “the fallout of Joe Rogan joining Spotify.” The multiyear licensing agreement has raised major industry-wide questions about exclusivity and the open RSS ecosystem.

• True hero: Producers of a variety of X-Men podcasts have begun a fundraiser in support of comic book shop owners. They're offering perks for listeners who donate through the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC) ComicBook United Fund.

• Common ground: Independent and corporate podcasters operate differently, but there should never be an “us vs. them” battle, says Daniel J. Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast. Noting their distinctions, Lewis credits the strengths and qualities of both.