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Podcast Nation (10 unread)

BBC iPlayer to Open Up.. to Podcasters?

Posted: December 11th, 2008, 6:01pm GMT by podcastnation@funk.co.uk (Deek Deekster)

Jemima Kiss writes in the Guardian about the BBC’s plans to open up the iPlayer and there is a period of consultation in which suggestions are being requested.

“This document is packed with ideas and possibilities; how many of these have been brewing in the corporation for some time? Was it always the intention that the iPlayer be opened up across the industry?

Some tasters from the report:

The suggestion of a web-based digital production system with archive tools: “The digital production platform would bring together the UK’s creative industry and technology vendors, offering ’software as a service’ which adheres to agreed industry standards…

The iPlayer could be opened out not just to broadcasters but to “other public services bodies” including the Tate, British Film Institute and the British Library: “An open attitude to content syndication both to and from the service would also spread benefits more broadly across the industry.”

So what would you like to see the BBC do with the iPlayer? Do you think it should white-label the technology to other firms? Make the CMS and content available through an API for external developers? Open the iPlayer site to content from other content producers? Or all of those things?

Newly appointed Chair of the UK Podcasters Association Neil Fairbrother said, “The iPlayer opening up to the British BBC TV license-paying audio and video podcast community would be a most excellent move - the iPlayer would be a good competitor to Apples iTunes site.”

Full proposal from the BBC
iTunes Refuses Podcaster Application

Posted: September 23rd, 2008, 11:23am BST

Podcaster is a brand new Application that allows you to subscribe, manage, stream and download podcasts directly to your iphone and itouch. The problem is that iTunes are refusing to distribute it. They say "Since Podcaster assists in the distribution of podcasts, it duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes."

This is being strongly rejected by the creator of Podcaster as "there are numerous apps that duplicate the functionality of other apps. For example, any calculator app is duplicating the functionality of Apples calculator app. Any app that tells you the weather is duplicating the Yahoo weather app. Any app that let's you listen to music is duplicating the iPod portion of the iPhone."

It seems that without public support, or some persuasive negotiations with Apple this neat little application will be left without a distributor, if you want to find out more information on this story, follow iphonepodcaster on Twitter and read more about this unfolding saga at almerica.blogspot.com and maybe even lend your support.
iTunes Refuses Podcaster Application

Posted: September 23rd, 2008, 11:23am BST by podcastnation@funk.co.uk (Deek Deekster)

Podcaster is a brand new Application that allows you to subscribe, manage, stream and download podcasts directly to your iphone and itouch. The problem is that iTunes are refusing to distribute it. They say “Since Podcaster assists in the distribution of podcasts, it duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes.”

This is being strongly rejected by the creator of Podcaster as “there are numerous apps that duplicate the functionality of other apps. For example, any calculator app is duplicating the functionality of Apples calculator app. Any app that tells you the weather is duplicating the Yahoo weather app. Any app that let’s you listen to music is duplicating the iPod portion of the iPhone.”

It seems that without public support, or some persuasive negotiations with Apple this neat little application will be left without a distributor, if you want to find out more information on this story, follow iphonepodcaster on Twitter and read more about this unfolding saga at almerica.blogspot.com and maybe even lend your support.
ADM Announce "Bylaws"

Posted: August 13th, 2008, 10:57pm BST

Enclosure: [download]

The Association for Downloadable Media have announced their final review draft of the bylaws in time for NewMediaExpo in Las Vegas:

The laws of California, within which the Association was created, required special review against our mission, proposed organization and charter. We also reviewed similar organizations such as the IAB and integrated language that would best serve our industry specifically. We incorporated the best approach that we think will keep ADM strong, productive and able to weather the process of growth with little to no bylaws amendment for the foreseeable future.

Bylaws can be tedious and dry. When you get a chance grab a strong pot of coffee and give it a go.

The full bylaws are available here: [tinyurl.com]
ADM Announce "Bylaws"

Posted: August 13th, 2008, 10:57pm BST by podcastnation@funk.co.uk (Deek Deekster)

Enclosure: [download]

The Association for Downloadable Media have announced their final review draft of the bylaws in time for NewMediaExpo in Las Vegas:

The laws of California, within which the Association was created, required special review against our mission, proposed organization and charter. We also reviewed similar organizations such as the IAB and integrated language that would best serve our industry specifically. We incorporated the best approach that we think will keep ADM strong, productive and able to weather the process of growth with little to no bylaws amendment for the foreseeable future.

Bylaws can be tedious and dry. When you get a chance grab a strong pot of coffee and give it a go.

The full bylaws are available here: [tinyurl.com]
Delia Derbyshire - Electronic Pioneer

Posted: July 22nd, 2008, 9:50am BST

Born in Coventry in 1937, Delia Derbyshire became one of the 20th Century's most influential electronic composers and musicians. She worked for many years at the BBC Radiophonic workshop, creating new sounds and themes. She is also famous for arranging the score for the unmistakable Dr Who theme and is still name-checked and covered by modern electronic artists such as Aphex Twin and The Chemical Brothers.

This is from an article on the BBC website about an archive of newly found recordings.

"A hidden hoard of recordings made by the electronic music pioneer behind the Doctor Who theme has been revealed - including a dance track 20 years ahead of its time.

Delia Derbyshire was working in the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop in 1963 when she was given the score for a theme tune to a new science fiction series.
She turned those dots on a page into the swirling, shimmering Doctor Who title music - although it is the score's author, Ron Grainer, who is credited as the composer.

Now David Butler, of Manchester University's School of Arts, Histories and Cultures has revealed for the first time the existence of 267 tapes found in Ms Derbyshire's attic when she died in 2001.

They were, until last March, in the safekeeping of Mark Ayres, archivist for the Radiophonic Workshop - and have lain unheard for more than 30 years.

Amongst the recordings is some ethereal whooshing from a 1969 production of Hamlet at the Roundhouse in London; an extraordinary kit of parts for one of her most-admired pieces; and the theme for a documentary set in the Sahara which shows how she used her voice as an instrument."
Delia Derbyshire - Electronic Pioneer

Posted: July 22nd, 2008, 9:50am BST by podcastnation@funk.co.uk (Deek Deekster)

Born in Coventry in 1937, Delia Derbyshire became one of the 20th Century’s most influential electronic composers and musicians. She worked for many years at the BBC Radiophonic workshop, creating new sounds and themes. She is also famous for arranging the score for the unmistakable Dr Who theme and is still name-checked and covered by modern electronic artists such as Aphex Twin and The Chemical Brothers.

This is from an article on the BBC website about an archive of newly found recordings.

“A hidden hoard of recordings made by the electronic music pioneer behind the Doctor Who theme has been revealed - including a dance track 20 years ahead of its time.

Delia Derbyshire was working in the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop in 1963 when she was given the score for a theme tune to a new science fiction series.
She turned those dots on a page into the swirling, shimmering Doctor Who title music - although it is the score’s author, Ron Grainer, who is credited as the composer.

Now David Butler, of Manchester University’s School of Arts, Histories and Cultures has revealed for the first time the existence of 267 tapes found in Ms Derbyshire’s attic when she died in 2001.

They were, until last March, in the safekeeping of Mark Ayres, archivist for the Radiophonic Workshop - and have lain unheard for more than 30 years.

Amongst the recordings is some ethereal whooshing from a 1969 production of Hamlet at the Roundhouse in London; an extraordinary kit of parts for one of her most-admired pieces; and the theme for a documentary set in the Sahara which shows how she used her voice as an instrument.”
Podcasting In China

Posted: July 1st, 2008, 10:22am BST

I saw this very interesting article at Podcasting News ...

As mainstream media promotes itself to new heights (depths?) over the upcoming summer Olympic Games in Beijing, and with the International Olympic Committee raising hackles with its severe restrictions on blogging, podcasting and new media, it seemed like a good time to look at citizen media efforts coming from China itself. This week’s edition of the Beijing Review, an english-language publication about China, has an article about the growth in the use and popularity of podcasts in China.

The article talks about the proliferation of blogs and bloggers in the country. They cite statistics from November 2007 that “one of every 30 Chinese citizens or [one in] four netizens was writing his or her own Web log.”

Indeed, a flurry of blog, video and podcast activity by citizen-journalists in China cropped up in the aftermath of the devastating May 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province. Blog, video, and podcast entries have progressed over the past six weeks from posting information about the disaster, to using these new media for inspiring and coordinating disaster relief efforts.

The article continues,

“Podcasting, which emerged at the end of 2004 in China with the launch of the first site in this regard, is also gaining popularity at a speed faster than that of any other Web service. According to official statistics, there were more than 200 podcasting sites in China in 2006, registering more than 10 million podcasters and having a viewership of 76 million. A lot of emergencies, news and gossips [sic] have been recorded live and made known to the public by home videos posted on the Internet. Prominent examples in recent years include those about the infidelity of a famous TV sport anchorman, which was brought to light by his wife at a public gathering, and a pet cat being tortured by a cruel man.

“Due to the large number of users and wide coverage, blogs and podcasts have also become major outlets of public opinion. Many bloggers and podcasters use their posts to discuss public affairs, raise suggestions and air complaints. At the same time, a growing number of officials have opened blogs to do real-time communication with the public, which is widely hailed as a new way of government transparency.”

The Beijing Review article says that most blogs and podcasts created and consumed in China, however, tend more toward entertainment than public opinion, government transparency, or citizen reporting of local news as in the Sichuan earthquake.
Podcasting In China

Posted: July 1st, 2008, 10:22am BST by podcastnation@funk.co.uk (Deek Deekster)

Via Podcasting News …

As mainstream media promotes itself to new heights (depths?) over the upcoming summer Olympic Games in Beijing, and with the International Olympic Committee raising hackles with its severe restrictions on blogging, podcasting and new media, it seemed like a good time to look at citizen media efforts coming from China itself. This week’s edition of the Beijing Review, an english-language publication about China, has an article about the growth in the use and popularity of podcasts in China.

The article talks about the proliferation of blogs and bloggers in the country. They cite statistics from November 2007 that “one of every 30 Chinese citizens or [one in] four netizens was writing his or her own Web log.”

Indeed, a flurry of blog, video and podcast activity by citizen-journalists in China cropped up in the aftermath of the devastating May 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province. Blog, video, and podcast entries have progressed over the past six weeks from posting information about the disaster, to using these new media for inspiring and coordinating disaster relief efforts.

The article continues,

“Podcasting, which emerged at the end of 2004 in China with the launch of the first site in this regard, is also gaining popularity at a speed faster than that of any other Web service. According to official statistics, there were more than 200 podcasting sites in China in 2006, registering more than 10 million podcasters and having a viewership of 76 million. A lot of emergencies, news and gossips [sic] have been recorded live and made known to the public by home videos posted on the Internet. Prominent examples in recent years include those about the infidelity of a famous TV sport anchorman, which was brought to light by his wife at a public gathering, and a pet cat being tortured by a cruel man.

“Due to the large number of users and wide coverage, blogs and podcasts have also become major outlets of public opinion. Many bloggers and podcasters use their posts to discuss public affairs, raise suggestions and air complaints. At the same time, a growing number of officials have opened blogs to do real-time communication with the public, which is widely hailed as a new way of government transparency.”

The Beijing Review article says that most blogs and podcasts created and consumed in China, however, tend more toward entertainment than public opinion, government transparency, or citizen reporting of local news as in the Sichuan earthquake.
Podcast Ads 7 Times As Effective As Television Ads

Posted: April 28th, 2008, 9:44am BST

New data from Podtrac and TNS suggests that podcasts may be a much more powerful advertising platform than television.

The companies studied podcast advertising from February 2006 to March 2008 across multiple product categories and ad types. Unaided awareness for podcast ads was 68%, compared with 21% for streaming video and 10% for television.

"The studies showed a 73% increase in likelihood to use or buy an advertised product," said Velvet Beard, vice president at Podtrac. "The studies showed that 69% of audience members have a more favorable view of in-show advertisers."

"Podcasting delivers a level of end-user engagement that is rare in today’s multi-format world," said Paul Verna, senior analyst at eMarketer.

There are many reasons why podcasts could be more effective than television. People are sick of the barrage of ads on television, so they routinely tune them out. Podcast advertising is typically much less intrusive than television advertising. It also has the potential to be much more targeted and relevant.

Because these stats come from Podtrac, a company with a vested interest in podcast advertising, marketers are likely to want to see these numbers independently reproduced.

Article taken from Podcasting News