TechPression

Tag: podcast

  • Exploring Spotify’s game-changing podcast comments

    Exploring Spotify’s game-changing podcast comments

    Spotify, the leading audio streaming service, has recently released a new function that allows users to leave notes on podcast episodes. This activity aims to improve the interactive experience for podcast creators and their audiences.

    Including comments on Spotify podcasts is a significant boost to audio content. It allows audiences to communicate directly with the artists they admire, offering comments, ideas, and criticism.

    Spotify’s most recent addition will change how artists and listeners connect as the podcast industry grows, enhancing engagement and reinforcing the sense of community inside the ecosystem.

    Read also: Burna Boy sets African Spotify streaming record with “Higher” single

    Empowering podcast creators

    Spotify’s new comments function benefits podcast producers by giving them more control over their content and the ability to create close relationships with their audience. If authors choose not to handle comments, they can turn off the option or activate it for specific episodes.

    The updated Spotify for Podcasters service enables all producers to monitor comments on any hosting provider they choose. Non-hosted creators must first claim their programming using the app to use this feature. In addition to setting comment visibility, creators will receive show milestones and notifications for new comments. The programme also provides data and audience analysis, allowing authors to understand their audience better and tailor their content.

    Read also: Spotify follows Meta, YouTube and others by offering AUX to artists

    Engaging with Spotify podcast comments

    The addition of comments to Spotify podcasts benefits both authors and listeners. It allows listeners to interact individually with what they consume and share their thoughts and comments with the author and other listeners.

    According to their research, Spotify users who use interactive tools like Q&As and polls are much more likely to return to a show within 30 days and spend more time listening to podcasts. Comments enable listeners to anticipate an even more immersive and intriguing experience, increasing their sense of connection and belonging to the podcast ecosystem.

    Spotify’s integration of episode comments transforms the podcast industry. It enables artists to improve users’ listening experiences and build stronger ties with their audiences. Spotify is committed to driving the expansion and transformation of the podcast industry as the platform continues to innovate and add new features.

    Podcast makers wishing to embrace this new tool and increase audience contact must claim their episodes using the Spotify for Podcasters app and investigate several ways to manage comments. By using this new media and interacting with their audience, creators can fully use their podcasts and build a devoted following that transcends the audio content.

  • Nigeria ranks 2nd behind South Africa in Spotify Podcast listenership

    Nigeria ranks 2nd behind South Africa in Spotify Podcast listenership

    Spotify, the global streaming platform, has unveiled its top five podcast-listening countries on the continent. On International Podcast Day, Ncebakazi Manzi, Spotify’s Podcast Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, shared the exciting news, underscoring Nigeria’s impressive podcast listenership growth, which surged by a staggering 222% from 2021 to 2022.

    In this ranking, Nigeria closely follows South Africa, with Kenya, Ghana, and Angola rounding out the top five. These countries represent Africa’s top podcast aficionados on Spotify, showcasing the vibrant podcast culture emerging in the region. Ncebakazi emphasised that International Podcast Day celebrated on September 30, serves as a significant milestone in acknowledging the podcasting phenomenon that is rapidly evolving in Nigeria.

    The surge in podcast consumption in Nigeria can be largely attributed to the younger generation, particularly Gen Z, aged 18 to 24, who account for a substantial 50% of total podcast streams over the past 90 days. Gen Z’s fervour for podcasts lies in their accessibility and diverse content offerings, spanning storytelling, information sharing, and entertainment. Additionally, listeners aged 25 to 29 contributed 21% of total podcast streams, highlighting the broad appeal of this medium across various age groups in Nigeria.

    Read also: Google to focus on music more than Podcasts in 2024

    The Rise of Local Podcasts

    Nigeria’s podcast landscape is enriched by popular local podcasts like The HonestBunch Podcast, I Said What I Said, Menisms, So Nigerian, and Tea with Tay. These podcasts resonate exceptionally well with Gen Z and Millennials due to their captivating content, focus on trending topics and candid discussions.

    Analysing Spotify’s data for Nigeria, the prime podcast listening hours fall between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., aligning with commutes, traffic, or morning routines.

    Spotify’s commitment to making podcast creation and consumption more accessible is evident through initiatives like Spotify for Podcasters, which offers interactive features such as Q&A and polls for content creators, along with advanced analytics to track a show’s growth. For listeners, Spotify continually enhances the experience by introducing features like auto-generated transcripts, expanded podcast chapters, and updated podcast show pages.

    As podcasting continues to evolve, understanding Gen Z’s preferences and behaviours becomes paramount for all stakeholders in Nigeria’s podcasting ecosystem. Gen Z makes up 50.9% of Nigeria’s total population, according to Manzi, making their influence and engagement vital to the medium’s growth.

    Spotify’s Cultural Diversity

    Beyond podcasting, Spotify stands as a prime example of cultural diversity in the digital age. While music knows no borders, Spotify not only connects listeners worldwide but also celebrates the rich tapestry of global musical traditions.

    Spotify’s extensive music library encompasses countless languages and genres, ensuring listeners find music that resonates with their culture and experiences, regardless of their background. The platform’s commitment to cultural diversity extends to its curated playlists.

    Local talent is paramount to Spotify’s mission. Through initiatives like “Spotify for Artists,” musicians from across the globe can upload their tracks and reach a global audience. This empowerment of local artists preserves and propagates cultural traditions through music. Spotify’s podcasting platform similarly plays a crucial role in fostering cultural diversity.

    Podcasting as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange

    The recent recognition of African countries as top podcast listeners underscores the role of these platforms in promoting cultural exchange. Spotify often commemorates cultural events and holidays by curating special playlists and content. Whether it’s Diwali, Chinese New Year, or Black History Month, the platform ensures that listeners can connect with the cultural significance of these occasions through music.

    Spotify, as a global streaming giant, remains committed to enriching the cultural tapestry of the digital world, while simultaneously celebrating the unique voices and stories that make the podcasting landscape in Africa increasingly vibrant. As podcasting continues to capture the hearts and ears of Africans, Spotify’s role as a cultural bridge and platform for diverse voices remains pivotal in shaping the continent’s audio entertainment landscape.

  • Google to focus on music more than Podcasts in 2024

    Google to focus on music more than Podcasts in 2024

    Google Podcasts will be shut down later in 2024 as part of its shift to YouTube Music, the company stated.

    After announcing earlier this year that YouTube Music will accept podcasts in the U.S., it will extend globally by year-end and allow podcasters to post their RSS feeds to YouTube by year-end.

    Google says it would spend more on YouTube Music’s podcast experience to make it more of a destination for podcast fans with discovery, community, and audio-video switching tools.

    With the launch of video podcast support for artists globally last year and community features like Q&As and votes, Spotify has been working on the latter.

    Read also: Google, DUBAWA to teach African journalists digital fact-checking

    YouTube Music now hosts podcasts

    Moving consumers from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music would make it the new podcast home. This idea shows people are listening, the business says. According to Edison, 23% of U.S. weekly podcast consumers utilise YouTube most, compared to 4% for Google Podcasts.

    The business will offer Google Podcast users a migration tool and the opportunity to add podcast RSS feeds to their YouTube Music library, including shows not hosted by YouTube, as revealed last month. In the coming weeks and months, these migration tools will be developed and made available to all users.

    Don’t want to switch to YouTube Music? Google Podcasts will let users download an OPML file of their show subscriptions to upload to any app that supports importation.

    A YouTube blog post stated, “We know this transition will take time, but these efforts will allow us to build a fantastic product and a single destination that rewards creators and artists and provides fans with the best podcast experience. YouTube, YouTube Music, and Google Podcasts will remain available to fans. It stated it would release more information about upcoming adjustments to our users and podcasters in the coming months.

    Google updates Bard to ‘talk to other apps’ for better replies

    Google is progressively pushing users to cease using previous products so YouTube Music can compete with Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and others. YouTube Music offered a similar scheme to lure users away from Google Play Music, which will close in 2020. However, podcasts are difficult to promote because most people listen on YouTube rather than Google Podcasts. However, YouTube Music only recently started playing podcasts.

    With this shift, only Apple will not have merged music and podcasts. Spotify, Amazon, and Pandora offer audio types in their primary apps.

  • Spotify’s voice translation boosts Nigerian podcasts

    Spotify’s voice translation boosts Nigerian podcasts

    A new AI-powered voice translation feature on Spotify makes it easier for podcasters to reach foreign-language consumers. 

    This innovative technology uses AI to translate podcasts without affecting the podcaster’s voice. This gives global listeners an actual listening experience.

    Spotify is initially testing this game-changing technology with a few podcasters. The tool currently translates shows into Spanish and French. Plans are underway to add German translations.

    Read also: Spotify removes lyrics option for free users in Nigeria in latest test

    This new proposal relies on OpenAI’s Whisper voice transcription tool. Whisper transcribes and translates English well. Spotify’s technology transcribes speech and plays the entire podcast in the podcaster’s synthesized voice.

    According to Spotify’s Vice President of Personalization Ziad Sultan, “By matching the creator’s voice, Voice Translation gives listeners worldwide the power to find and be inspired by new podcasters in a more authentic way than ever before.”

    OpenAI developed this new feature’s voice replication. A tool that creates “human-like audio from just text and a few seconds of sample speech” is among the AI company’s morning releases. Due to safety and privacy concerns, OpenAI purposely limits this tool’s availability.

    TikTok takes on Spotify, Apple Music, expands into music streaming

    Languages expand podcasters’ reach

    Spotify’s translation technology is being tested with a few podcasters. Although Spotify has not announced plans for broader access, this innovation holds great promise for African podcasters.

    It lets African creators overcome linguistic hurdles and express their unique thoughts and material worldwide. This will increase cultural interchange and African podcasting voices. African podcasters now have a greater chance to reach global audiences and amplify their perspectives.

    In many African countries, like Nigeria, the number of people listening to podcasts is growing. This is because podcasts are easy to listen to while doing other things. As of 2021, Nigeria was the only place where Spotify users could listen to more than 2.9 million podcasts.

    AI is being added to Spotify’s platform more and more, which is a great way to use it. The platform recently brought its personalised music feature called “DJ,” which is driven by artificial intelligence, to Nigeria and other parts of the world. This significant change happened six months after its release in North America.

  • SemaBOX launches podcast distribution platform in Kenya

    SemaBOX launches podcast distribution platform in Kenya

    SemaBOX, a Kenyan podcast incubation studio, has stepped up to provide solutions to the challenges faced by podcast-creator in Africa by launching a new podcast distribution platform called WAZO.

    This recent innovation will address the challenges that continue to face the industry, such as the lack of investment and, of course, monetization for the creators, despite the increasing expansion of podcasting in Africa over the last couple of years.

    WAZO will provide podcasters with a new way to make an income while connecting them with a listening audience of over 39 million across the SemaBOX creative network. 

    Advertisers can now easily and efficiently reach the large and growing Kenyan podcast audience through a centralized platform. This is particularly advantageous for creators since the big Western platforms do not yet allow Kenyan creators to be monetized.

    Read also: Spotify announces original podcast show with Trevor Noah

    Kenyan content will be the first to be monetized

    WAZO will also centralize data on podcasts and podcasters in Kenya. As a result, podcasters will have access to the data they need to expand their range of products and enhance their presentations. Moreover, WAZO will allow marketers to make smarter investment decisions. 

    SemaBOX claims that with WAZO, podcasters in Kenya and throughout Africa will be able to generate income directly from listener engagement and advertising. WAZO, which means “Thought” in Kiswahili, became accessible to all listeners at no cost on July 17, 2023, as part of the Wazo ONE initiative. Kenyan content will be the first to be monetized, with that of Uganda and South Africa to follow in the third quarter of 2023.

    Mr. Dan Aceda, President and CEO of SemaBOX said “We are truly excited that we can finally bring this online. Our mission from the beginning has been to find methods that generate income for podcasters, and we believe WAZO is the solution. We also hope that by introducing monetization right from the start, the rest of the podcast industry will follow. It’s about time these amazing artists were compensated for the world-class content they’re producing.

    Spotify launches high-fidelity audio Supremum

    SemaBOX competing head-on with existing providers 

    The number of people who listen to podcasts is also growing. Approximately 40% of South Africa’s and Kenya’s highly educated population are monthly podcast users, according to a report by Reuters Digital News.  

    WAZO, SemaBOX’s new podcast platform, will compete with services like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, which have long been the go-to options for podcast listeners in Africa. Last year, Spotify announced the launch of the $100,000 Africa Podcast Fund to help emerging podcasters.  Another podcasting platform with an African emphasis is Afripods, which launched in 2017. According to research conducted in 2022, Afripods is also one of the most popular podcasting platforms across Africa. 

    WAZO was unveiled in a creation event on July 17, 2023, and it went live that day on the internet everywhere in the world. Apps for both iOS and Android will be available soon. Baraza Media Lab and Africa No Filter have provided support for the development of the platform.

  • Spotify announces original podcast show with Trevor Noah

    Spotify announces original podcast show with Trevor Noah

    Comedian Trevor Noah, who is recognised for his work on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” which earned him an Emmy Award, has signed a deal with Spotify to host a weekly podcast series. Noah is widely acclaimed for his work on “The Daily Show.”

    According to Spotify’s synopsis, Noah will host an upcoming show that has not yet been given a name and will involve him conducting in-depth interviews with notable personalities. 

    During these conversations, Noah will present his one-of-a-kind viewpoint on global challenges and fascinating topics. Noah’s signature wit and sense of humour will be on display throughout the episode.

    Read also: How Spotify, Apple Music work in Nigeria

    How Trevor Noah reacted

    Noah, in an effort to convey his excitement about the endeavour, commented, “I’ve always been somebody who enjoys trying new things and exploring different ways to express what I do. I think this is going to be a really exciting opportunity to create a little more of what I’ve always created — and a lot more of what I haven’t created before.” 

    In a statement, Noah joked that the podcast will “probably fix every single issue humankind has ever faced, so you definitely want to join us for every episode.” The podcast is scheduled to be released later this year.

    Despite the fact that the podcast will be a “Spotify original,” it will not be exclusive to the streaming service and will be made available on many devices. On the other hand, Spotify has obtained exclusive distribution rights for shows produced by a number of well-known podcasters, such as Joe Rogan, Alex Cooper, Emma Chamberlain, and Dax Shepard.

    Noah emphasized the benefits of podcasting in comparison to television, emphasizing the ability for long-form programming that is not confined by the time blocks that are set by advertisements on television. He emphasized the freedom that podcasting gives him because it enables him to produce episodes from any location in the world.

    Trevor Noah, a comedian, and Daniel Ek, co-founder and CEO of Spotify, engaged in a chat during the Spotify Beach midday programme at the Cannes Lions conference. During the course of their conversation, Noah disclosed the forthcoming launch of his podcast on the Spotify platform. 

    The news put a spotlight on the conversation around the ways in which creators, such as Noah, may make use of emerging technology and a variety of different channels to forge meaningful connections with their audiences.

    Spotify Starts ‘Talks With Africa’ To Grow The Music Industry

    Other details about Spotify’s new project

    According to the information provided by the firm, the streaming platform Spotify, which made its debut in the podcasting industry in 2019, has amassed a library of more than 5 million podcast titles and an audience of more than 100 million podcast listeners. 

    Only in the year 2022 did Spotify have an astounding 165 original and licensed shows that were able to claim the number one spot on the Spotify charts in 99 different markets across the world.

    Julie McNamara, Vice President of Spotify, stated her excitement about the prospect of teaming with Noah on a podcast that would showcase his extraordinary interviewing abilities, intelligent commentary, and hilarious sense of humour on a worldwide scale.

    This statement comes shortly after the termination of Archewell Audio and Spotify’s multi-year partnership, which was the firm that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, created together.