Topic: Podcast Downloads

The Midas Touch Network reportedly received a significant investment from Soros Fund Management as part of a broader effort to build a liberal audio empire. The hosts explain how the network manipulates podcast charts by releasing multiple short segments per day to inflate download numbers. This strategy mirrors the acquisition of Crooked Media and other "Trump-hating" outlets by Soros-linked funds.

The hosts discussed the "Value for Value" funding model and the importance of using modern podcast apps that support the Podping system built on blockchain technology. They criticized legacy apps for using auto-downloads to inflate statistics and warned of "download farms" in China that use thousands of cell phones to scam advertising metrics. By avoiding traditional ads and first-party data tracking, the show maintains independence through direct listener support.

Download statistics from the OP3 open-source system show that 11% of No Agenda listeners use the show's website, while 17% use Podverse. The hosts discuss the decline of traditional podcast apps due to "inbox fatigue" and the shift toward streaming. Modern apps like Podverse are recommended for their ability to receive "bat signal" notifications for live broadcasts.

The traditional CPM (cost per mille) advertising model is increasingly viewed as unsustainable for the podcasting industry due to unreliable download metrics. Critics argue that the industry is plagued by "scammy" practices, such as using video game rewards to inflate subscriber numbers. The "Value for Value" model is proposed as a more honest alternative for content monetization.

The podcast continues to operate on the "Value for Value" model, relying on producer contributions rather than traditional advertising or data tracking. The hosts highlight the benefits of modern podcast apps like Podverse, which support real-time transcripts and chapters. They also discuss a 25% drop in industry download numbers after Apple changed how iOS 17 handles automatic episode downloads, exposing previous "scams" in podcast metrics.

The podcasting industry is facing a crisis as Apple's iOS 17 update changed how episodes are automatically downloaded, leading to a significant drop in reported numbers for many networks. This shift has exposed that up to 15% of industry download statistics were likely fraudulent or "ghost" downloads. In contrast, the "Value for Value" model used by independent shows remains resilient because it relies on direct listener support rather than inflated advertising metrics.

The reliability of podcast advertising metrics is questioned, specifically the use of downloads as a proxy for actual listens. A recent glitch in the Apple Podcasts app that stopped automatic downloads resulted in a 27% drop in reported numbers, which the industry largely ignored.

Adam Curry reports a significant surge in No Agenda listenership following his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, with baseline numbers increasing up to 2,000% on Apple Podcasts. The discussion contrasts the "value for value" independent model with corporate podcasting acquisitions like Gimlet Media by Spotify. They posit that independence is the only way to avoid the "censorship bin" of mainstream platforms.

Radio legend Norm Pattis and his network, Podcast One, are facing lawsuits from a former employee alleging unethical business practices. The employee claims Pattis brandished a firearm while demanding that download numbers be "doctored" to inflate advertising rates. The incident highlights the ongoing struggle to monetize podcast networks and the prevalence of fraudulent metrics in the industry.

Apple is introducing episode-level analytics to its podcast app, allowing creators to see exactly when listeners skip or stop an episode. This shift toward transparent data is expected to disrupt the podcast advertising industry, as many "mainstream" shows have been inflating their listener numbers based on raw download stats.

The New York Times is expanding its podcast library to attract younger subscribers, despite imminent newsroom cuts. The hosts critique the Times's struggle to monetize the medium and their realization that download metrics are an unreliable measure of actual listenership.

NPR releases new guidelines for measuring podcast downloads, acknowledging the difficulty in accurately identifying unique listeners. The hosts dismiss these industry standards as "bullshit" and a "scam" designed for the advertising market, reaffirming their commitment to a direct listener-supported model that doesn't rely on inflated metrics.

A technical issue within Apple's iOS 5 and iTunes is identified where podcasts are reportedly downloading ten times, potentially exhausting user data plans. The show has transitioned its MP3 hosting to producer-run infrastructure to better monitor these anomalies. This glitch results in a 100MB show consuming a full gigabyte of data for mobile users.