Digital Innovation Digital Publishing
3 mins read

The Must-Read Publishing Stories You May Have Missed Dec 6th 2019

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News podcasts grow 32% in 2019, inside Quartz’s membership model, and more

The unstoppable rise of podcasting

new report from the Reuters Institute this week revealed that the number of new podcasts globally rose by almost 12,000 between January and October 2019 – an increase of a third.

Of particular interest is the strong performance of news podcasts. Despite news podcasts making up just 6% of the podcast mix, they outperform many other genres in terms of consumption.

Lead author Nic Newman says news podcasting is a rare bright spot for the news industry, with bigger audiences, better measurement and easier access encouraging publishers to invest more in creating quality content, but also nudging platforms to invest in better distribution and monetisation.

With more publishers making significant investments in podcasting in the hope of building habit and bringing in additional revenue, we’re looking forward to seeing more publishers innovate and experiment with podcast formats and revenues in 2020.

@WNIP

What’s new this week

“Increasing the value of membership until it’s a bargain”: Quartz’s secret sauce

Quartz’s membership offering is pitched differently than most outlets’ — more as an investment in the reader’s career. It repackages its journalism into longer-lasting resources for members like field guides and slide decks.

Media Moments 2019: Report Download
From key business mergers to shifting perceptions around data privacy, we explore how 2019’s defining moments have changed the media landscape, and what the future holds for 2020.
News podcasts grow by 32% as daily news shows become increasingly popular
The number of news podcasts globally rose by almost 12,000 between January and October 2019 – an increase of around a third, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute.
How 5 media companies around the world are using eCommerce
Here are five case studies which caught our eye, from Heart Media and Dennis Publishing to Associated Media, NBC Universal and The Today Show.
Publishers believe email is the most effective tactic for driving subscriptions
Even Apple seems to be putting stock in email to shore up subscriptions for Apple News+, and has just launched a new ‘Good Morning’ daily newsletter.
Digital advertising growing by double digits, and the uptick will continue
Digital advertising will continue to grow by double digits this year and next, according to GroupM’s latest This Year Next Year: UK Media Forecasts report.
4 ways local newsrooms can forge deeper relationships with the communities they serve
The appetite for smart local news is there. The challenge is figuring out how to make it profitable. 
How publishers can strategically tag content, to help users easily navigate their websites
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TCF 2.0 has landed – here’s why publishers should take note
Version 2.0 is the outcome of a rigorous 12-month review, and based on close consultation with the publishing community and other key stakeholders.
Developing future proof revenue models for publishers: Insights from Dow Jones
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How Amazon’s Twitch is helping media companies connect with a new and dynamic audience
A site that was largely built on gaming activities has now evolved and features all kinds of content, including video from media behemoths like The Washington Post, Sky News and Cheddar.
Here is what policymakers can do for Europe’s news media
To develop media policies fit for our online future, policymakers urgently need to act to ensure the freedom, funding, and future of independent professional journalism in Europe.
Yahoo Finance Editor in Chief Andy Serwer on building a leading online finance publication
Andy Serwer discusses what strategies he’s used to grow the publication to become the leader in financial news online, how they have been affected by the crisis in trust, and more.
Is the Firefox update a bad omen for publishers?
The latest release of Mozilla’s Firefox browser is creating a sense of foreboding among digital publishers because it automatically blocks third-party tracking cookies.
On user-generated content and the challenge of deep fakes: Reuters’ Hazel Baker
The phenomenon of fake news, and in particular the emergence of deep fakes, has meant that organisations have had to tweak their approach to social media.
Bo Sacks: Publishing opportunities in unlikely places
New and modern rules are still under construction, and alternative revenue streams are multiplying for those entrepreneurial explorers who look for them.