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Dan Granger of Oxford Road and the AMP Accord initiative aims to standardize podcast and play definitions, asserting that inconsistent metrics leave a "billion dollars" in potential revenue on the table for the industry.
James Cridland notes that advertisers view downloads as a "faith-based metric," lacking the intelligent information needed for brand building, pushing for more precise measurement.
The AMP Accord formally defines a "podcast" as an on-demand, spoken-word show, intelligible as audio, typically episodic, accessed via RSS or other distribution methods; its shorthand is "if it works with your eyes closed, it's a podcast."
Giles Maltin explains the AMP Accord defines a "play" as a user consuming at least 30 consecutive seconds of a podcast, whether audio or video, a standard adopted by Spotify and generally understood for YouTube.
Dan Granger highlights that without a clear podcast definition, buying agencies struggle, causing advertisers to pull back and preventing the industry from reaching its multi-billion dollar potential.
The AMP Accord seeks detailed exposure metrics from podcast apps, including timestamp data, user agents, IP addresses, mobile ad IDs, and hashed email addresses from consenting users.
James Cridland expresses concern that major platforms like Apple Podcasts and Overcast (with over 3% of all downloads) are unlikely to implement the AMP Accord's data requirements, limiting its industry-wide adoption.
Independent podcast apps account for 36% of all RSS downloads but currently earn no revenue from the podcast industry, a discrepancy James Cridland argues should change.
James Cridland proposes sharing a portion of HLS ad revenue, such as $1 per thousand ads served, with independent podcast apps that provide compliant consumption data, to incentivize their participation.
Megan Lazovic reports Edison Research's UK Podcast Consumer Report found YouTube surpassed Spotify, becoming the preferred platform for 29% of weekly UK podcast listeners, while Apple Podcasts dropped to fourth place.
Edison Research indicates on-demand audio surpassed linear audio in terms of time spent listening in 2023, reflecting a long-term trend away from traditional radio consumption.
Edison Research, in a blinded study with Spoken, found AI multicast narration for audiobooks was rated slightly higher than single human narration, despite general consumer skepticism about AI voices.
Acast's Q2 '26 financial report shows sales growth up 28% overall, with a return to profitability at $3.3 million US dollars, and average revenue per listen/view increased by 26%.
The Podtastic app allows users to pay $2.99/month to remove podcast ads by processing downloads locally and masking its user agent, raising ethical questions about Apple and Google earning 30% of its revenue.
While Adam Curry believes streaming payments are "over" due to low uptake and complexity, Sam Sethi maintains the micropayment concept is sound, suggesting issues lie with Lightning implementation and KYC requirements.
Adam Curry announced the passing of his podcast co-host John C. Dvorak, declaring July 20th a national holiday in Dvorak's honor and marking episode 1888 of the No Agenda Show as a tribute.
Curry and Dvorak started No Agenda nearly 19 years prior, recording unscripted conversations about news, technology, and life, initially promising no standard broadcast elements but later becoming known for unique jingles and effects.
The podcast was funded by listeners contributing time, talent, and treasure, called 'producers,' and eventually formed an LLC due to IRS confusion over numerous small donations.
Mimi Dvorak revealed John's actual birth year was 1946, not 1952 as commonly reported after a Wired Magazine error and subsequent copying by the New York Times, which Dvorak found amusing and insisted on keeping secret.
Will Hurst, a friend since the 1970s, described Dvorak as a blunt technology reviewer whose opinion could make or break a product, comparing him to Herb Cain, Walt Mossberg, and Kara Swisher combined.
Marty, Dvorak's joke writer, described him as a 'polymath' with an incredible sense of humor and timing, who took wild ideas and made them happen, once orchestrating an $8,500 wine bill for investors at CES 2000.
Dvorak had a unique career advice philosophy: agree with your 'full of crap' supervisors while continuing to do things your own way, as they likely won't notice the difference.
Dvorak was known for his vast wine knowledge, introducing many to Kirkland Bordeaux and consistently recommending wines under $40, though he did select expensive wines for Dana Brunetti's dinners.
Dvorak's diverse past jobs included can inspector and air pollution inspector, leading Mimi to choose a crematorium for his funeral, as he had previously inspected the facility.
Dvorak cultivated a vinegar collection in large jugs, with distinct 'lineages' and 'purebreds,' often turning open wine bottles into new vinegar, a habit his family found annoying.
Andrew Horowitz, Dvorak's co-host on DH Unplugged for 17-18 years, noted Dvorak's poor texting style despite his brilliance, with messages often in all caps and misspelled.
The first DH Unplugged episode aired March 7, 2007, a few months before No Agenda's October 26, 2007 debut; both shows began when Dvorak suggested recording conversations with his co-hosts.
Mimi Dvorak described John's last moments as peaceful, occurring during a normal evening watching TV after he suspected low blood sugar, an impulsive and typical exit for him.
The show received a $5,000 Bitcoin donation from Dame Catherine Crypto Granny of Bangkok, inspired by Dvorak's stories to write her own 'Random Tales from a Hippie Chick.'
Saagar states that polls consistently show the Iran War is profoundly unpopular, potentially making it the most unpopular war in American history.