The Rise of White Noise Podcasts and Spotify's New Direction
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Chapter 1: The Boom of White Noise Podcasts
Recent reports indicate that certain 'white noise' podcasts on Spotify are raking in over $18,000 monthly. Ashley Carman from Bloomberg highlights shows like Calming White Noise and Best Noise Labs, which boast incredibly loyal followings. However, many creators within this niche tend to be quite secretive or uncommunicative.
One notable success story is Todd Moore, who launched a white noise app back in 2009. A decade later, he introduced Tmsoft's White Noise Sleep Sounds on Spotify, amassing around 50,000 daily listeners with a dedicated team of five.
With the growing popularity of ASMR and white noise content, one can't help but wonder what the future holds—silent podcasts, perhaps? If so, I could easily prepare several episodes in just 20 minutes. Alternatively, could we transform the often chaotic rhetoric from certain political figures into background noise?
Section 1.1: Spotify's Shift Towards Podcasting
As Spotify transitions from music streaming to podcasting, it has seen substantial increases in profitability and growth potential. However, this journey has not been without missteps.
Recently, PodNews reported that Spotify has revised its content guidelines, introducing a new section aimed at curbing the promotion of violent extremism. The updated policies prohibit content that includes instructions for committing acts of extremism or soliciting funding for such groups. While the definition of violent extremism remains vague, the company's previous lack of content oversight means that any improvement is welcome.
Subsection 1.1.1: Image Preview
Section 1.2: Firefox Enters the Podcasting Scene
Mozilla's Firefox browser, which has 198 million monthly users, is facing challenges, having lost 50 million users in recent years. This decline can largely be attributed to Google being the default browser on Android devices.
Mozilla, a not-for-profit, operates under principles that promote an open internet, civil discourse, and shared knowledge. Firefox has launched a podcast called IRL (In Real Life), hosted by Manoush Zomorodi. This podcast delves into real-life stories from the online world, tackling issues like privacy, 5G, and the internet's environmental impact.
Check it out here.
Chapter 2: Audio Up's New Leadership
As podcasting continues to expand in both audience and revenue, Audio Up, in collaboration with Sirius XM, has made a significant hire: Kate London has been appointed as the Head of Music Legal & Business Affairs.
In her previous role at Interscope Records, London worked with renowned artists like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish. She expressed her enthusiasm about joining Audio Up, stating, "This opportunity allows me to leverage my extensive music industry experience with a creative team that is both spirited and innovative."
The founder and CEO of Audio Up, Jared Gutstadt, expressed his excitement over London's joining, stating, "We are truly fortunate to have Kate join Audio Up as we embark on the next phase of our business."
This video titled "Spotify considered banning white noise podcasts" provides insights into the evolving landscape of podcasting and the challenges Spotify faces in regulating content.