Podcasting's information guidelines have been refreshed

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howdy! I'm so excited to see so lots of you on the Scorching Pod Summit and On Air Fest this week. I'll be again on Tuesday with a recap of the occasions. However first, I've taken a have a look at the layoffs at WAMU, the IAB's new podcast tips, and the ticking clock on union contract negotiations at Spotify.

One other NPR member station has made layoffs, this time at WAMU in Washington, DC. Whereas some public radio organizations have addressed finances shortfalls by slicing podcasts (NPR, WNYC), WAMU is maintaining its audio operation intact because it lays off 15 staff and closes it down. D.C.I.S.TThe native information web site it bought 5 years in the past.

“With a renewed concentrate on offering audio-first storytelling, WAMU has determined to discontinue the location and social channels. A press release from the group stated a group of internet sites is being made obtainable to staff to assist their enterprise actions.

Though the choice is being framed as a part of a brand new technique that doubles down on stay occasions and audio, it's unclear whether or not any new audio roles are being added. Presently, the one job obtainable at WAMU is for Director of Growth.

As is going on within the digital media business, D.C.I.S.T Now not obtainable to the general public. Whenever you go to the web site, a pop-up seems that robotically takes you to WAMU, and DC residents are naturally sad that the archive has been faraway from the general public document. A WAMU spokesperson had no remark. sizzling podRequest for remark.

The group that units podcast measurement requirements has launched new tips that tackle among the information points which have arisen over the previous few years. The brand new guidelines, which aren’t but remaining, would require licensed firms to be extra clear than earlier than about their measurement strategies.

Promoting firms, which turned away from podcasting final yr, “need transparency in how these calculations are made,” explains Shailey Singh, EVP of product and COO of IAB Tech Lab. sizzling pod, “So we attempt to obtain this by offering as detailed steering as doable.”

Podcast firms licensed by the IAB, which incorporates two dozen different firms together with NPR, Acast and Megaphone, will likely be anticipated to take steps reminiscent of filtering duplicate podcast downloads from Apple Watches, specifying whether or not they’re mounted or rolling 24- Measure on the hour. interval, and having practices in place to consider main technological adjustments. That final guideline has explicit relevance given the huge discount in downloads throughout the business because of adjustments to the best way Apple handles computerized downloads of iOS 17.

The IAB Tech Lab is accepting public touch upon the brand new tips till March 23. You may view the doc right here.

Two of Spotify's three podcasting unions are up towards a contract deadline this week. Gimlet and The Ringer, each of that are unionized with the Writers Guild of America, East (which additionally represents the Vox Media union, of which I'm a component), are at loggerheads with Spotify administration over contract particulars like pay and severance. . The talks come at a time when Spotify is dealing with large layoffs in its podcast enterprise and when the corporate is changing into more and more conservative when it comes to spending.

Union member for Gimlet, which has been gutted on account of employees cuts, have resolved to strike If they will't attain an settlement with Spotify administration. In a press release, the union demanded “compensation that’s commensurate with inflation, and a extra clear and respectful method to employees reductions, within the wake of quite a few layoffs at Spotify Studios.” Yesterday, the Gimlet union posted on Twitter that they’ve seen no motion on any points.

The a lot bigger ringer union has not but issued a strike pledge, however the group can also be struggling to get Spotify to comply with its requests on AI use, layoff notices and pay will increase. Group Posted on x Yesterday Spotify administration provided a increase of two.7 % for the primary yr of the contract, adopted by an annual improve of two % for the next years. “We won’t settle for a below-inflation pay rise from an organization price as a lot as @Spotify,” the union stated.

Neither Spotify nor WGAE responded to requests for remark.