Megaphone (formerly Panoply Media)[6] is a Software as a service (SaaS) business owned by Spotify. The company provides software for podcast hosting and monetization as well as an ad network to generate additional revenue for podcast publishers.[7] It was formerly an audio content producer started by The Slate Group as Panoply Media,[8][9] and later shifted to focusing solely on software for monetizing, measuring and distributing podcasts of media companies and independent producers.[10][11]
History
Slate began podcasting in 2005 with the Slate Political Gabfest.[12] Panoply Media launched in Feb 2015 led by Andy Bowers, Brendan Monaghan and Matt Turck within The Slate Group.[1] Panoply acquired dynamic ad-insertion company Audiometric in August 2015,[11] adding key technology leader and eventual CTO, Jason Cox, in the process. Panoply made the Audiometric technology available to other companies in January 2016 under the moniker "Megaphone".[13][10]
In January 2018, the Slate Group separated its Slate-branded podcasts, such as The Gist, from the rest of the Panoply lineup,[17] for purposes of revenue control as it sought to increase membership in Slate Plus, its premium content service. Accordingly, Slate podcasts no longer carry the Panoply logo and branding.
In September 2018, it was announced that Panoply would cease production of all podcasts and shut down its editorial division in order to focus on podcast hosting, analytics, and monetization technology as well as its ad marketplace known as the Megaphone Targeted Marketplace.[18] Shortly thereafter, Pinna was spun out as a separate company owned by Panoply parent Graham Holdings in early 2019.[19]
In November 2020, Spotify announced its intent to acquire Megaphone from Graham Holdings for US$235 million.[20] The acquisition was completed in December 2020.[21] After the acquisitions of podcast technology companies Whooshkaa in December 2021 and Chartable in February 2022, Spotify announced that these products will be integrated into Megaphone.[22][23]
Detective — weekly interviews with Detectives who are being featured on Investigation Discovery true crime shows.
Tumanbay — international broadcast of this BBC Four scripted radio drama, set in a fictional Middle Eastern city during the Middle Ages.[60] Two seasons have already aired in the UK.
Whatever Happened To Pizza At McDonald's? — investigative journalism program centered around the circumstances and reasoning for fast food chain McDonald's ceasing to offer pizza in their restaurants.
LGBTQ&A — interview podcast documenting the stories of the LGBTQ community with Jeffrey Masters.
By the Book — bi-weekly podcast trying out self-help books with Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer.[61]
You Must Remember This — early Hollywood history with Karina Longworth.[62]
Slate branded podcasts
Amicus — Amicus is a podcast about "the Supreme Court and the laws it interprets for the United States," hosted by Dahlia Lithwick.[63] The podcast first aired October 23, 2014 and has aired a few times a month since[64]
Audio Book Club — The Audio Book Club functions as a book discussion club. Every month critics gather to discuss a book previously announced. The podcast first aired on March 15, 2006[65]
Daily Podcast — All of Slate's podcasts and extra content.[68]
Dear Prudence — Dear Prudence is an advice column, hosted by Daniel Mallory Ortberg.[69] The column dates back to 1997,[70] and the podcast to June 7, 2016.[71] The podcast airs every Wednesday[72]
The Waves — women's issues,[73] formerly The Double X Gabfest[74]
The Gist — The Gist is a daily (Monday through Friday) news and opinion podcast hosted by Mike Pesca[75]
Upon Further Review — Upon Further Review is a limited release podcast hosted by Mike Pesca,[75] focusing on sports hypotheticals, such as, "What would have happened if the Brooklyn Dodgers had never left for Los Angeles?"
Hang Up and Listen — sports[76]
Hit Parade — music history and the Billboard Hot 100, hosted by Chris Molanphy.[77]
Lexicon Valley — language issues[78]
Slate Money — business and finance, hosted by Felix Salmon
Slate Presents — an anthology series, where each season functions as a stand-alone narrative miniseries. The first season, titled Standoff: What Happened at Ruby Ridge? was hosted by Ruth Graham, and examined the Ruby Ridge incident.[83] The second season, hosted by Emily Bazelon, is titled Charged: A True Punishment Story and examines the workings of a special court in New York that focused on cases of illegal gun possession.[84]
^ a b"The Slate Group Announces Panoply, a Podcasting Network for Media Brands and Authors". Slate. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
^ a b"Guide to Podcasting |". towcenter.org. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Podcasting Sounds Like a Big Opportunity to Slate - Digital Content Next". Digital Content Next. 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"The Panoply Network Is Now Using Nielsen Data for Targeted Podcast Advertising". AdWeek. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
^"Why podcasting as a medium will continue to grow: an interview with Andy Bowers, CCO and co-founder of Slate's Panoply Media". FIPP.com. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2017-02-04.
^Jerde, Sara (5 March 2019). "After Shifting Focus to Podcast Technology, Panoply Media Undergoes Rebrand". Adweek. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
^"Panoply Media Rebrands as Megaphone". Megaphone. 2019-03-05. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
^"Panoply's chief content officer Andy Bowers: 'Podcasting is survival of the fittest'". Digiday. 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
^"Slate's Panoply platform is serious about podcasts". Mashable. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
^ a b"Podcast Network Panoply Introduces New Ad Platform". Advertising Age. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
^ a b"Panoply Acquires Ad Management, CMS Technology for Podcasters". Slate. 2015-08-11. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
^ a b"Slate and Malcolm Gladwell Aim to Become the Next Serial". Bloomberg.com. 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^ a b"Politico Turns to Panoply for Listeners and Sponsors". MediaFile. 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
^"Forget Filling Ad Breaks; Some Marketers Make the Podcasts". New York Times. 2016-11-20. Retrieved 2017-02-05.
^"'We're pivoting to words': Slate says podcasts are now 25 percent of revenue". 16 January 2018.
^"Podcast shakeup! Panoply, iHeartMedia, Stuff, and…Malcolm Gladwell? are all making industry moves". Nieman Lab. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
^"Kids podcaster Pinna is leaving the crib and ready to take its first steps solo".
^Carman, Ashley (November 10, 2020). "Spotify is acquiring podcast hosting company Megaphone for $235 million". The Verge. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
^"Graham Holdings Company Completes Sale of Megaphone to Spotify". Business Wire. December 8, 2020.
^Carman, Ashley (2021-12-16). "Spotify's latest acquisition is about making money off radio shows turned into podcasts". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
^Carman, Ashley (2022-02-17). "Spotify wants to beat YouTube at audio". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
^"666 Reasons To Listen To The Debut Episode Of Internet Explorer Podcast". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"See Something Say Something: A New Podcast About Being Muslim In America". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Another Round, Episode 29: What's On Your Reparations Tab?". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"The Intercept and First Look Media Launch New Podcast "Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill"". www.businesswire.com. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"First Look Media Launches Maeve In America Podcast with Comedian Maeve Higgins". www.businesswire.com. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"GE Podcast Theater Returns With A New Sci-Fi Thriller "LifeAfter"". Co.Create. 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"The 'Game of Crones' Podcast, Episode 2: Let's Talk About Snow, (Dead) Baby". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Happy Sad Confused by MTV on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Welcome To 'Lady Problems, The Podcast': A Teaser". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"This Year In 'North Mollywood'". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 19, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Introducing 'Skillset,' An MTV Podcast About The Experts Who Make Your Favorite Movies". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Introducing 'Speed Dial' An MTV Podcast On Music, Pop Culture, Race, And Sex". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Introducing 'Team Wolf,' A 'Teen Wolf' Podcast". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Introducing 'The Stakes,' A Political Podcast That's Not About Politics, Except When It Is". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 30, 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Nerdcast". POLITICO. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"How Your World Works Podcast: Why Submarines Smell Like Sticky Buns". Popular Mechanics. 2015-08-17. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Most Useful Podcast Ever by Slate Magazine on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^Miller, Julie. "Introducing In the Limelight, Vanity Fair's New Pop Culture Podcast". Vanities. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"The Oscar Nominees Most Likely to Break Your Heart". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"The Ezra Klein Show". www.vox.com. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"History-themed 'BackStory' to end weekly hourlong radio show, continue as podcast". Current. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^Bussel, Rachel Kramer (30 August 2016). ""Life was always a financial hellscape": Gaby Dunn's "Bad With Money" wants to break the "secret shame" of money talk". Salon. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso by Sophia Amoruso / Panoply / Girl Boss / Nasty Gal on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"GLoP Culture: Reality Is Too Weird | National Review". www.nationalreview.com. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Panoply debuts six shows in its fall lineup, including its first scripted comedy – RAIN News". rainnews.com. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
^"These 2 Podcasters Are Changing Their Lives, One Self-Help Book at a Time". Brit + Co. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
^"You Must Remember This: An Interview with Karina Longworth". Warner Archive News. 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
^Metcalf, Stephen; Stevens, Dana; Turner, Julia (31 July 2008). "The Culture Gabfest, Monopoly Edition". Slate. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
^"Slate Magazine Daily Feed by Slate Magazine on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
^"'Dear Prudence' Finally Gets Advice In Return: A New 'Prudie' Steps In". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Get answers to your questions on morals, manners, and macroeconomic policy: Ask Prudence". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
^Ortberg, Mallory (2016-06-07). "Dear Prudence: The "Prudie Gets Some Advice" Edition". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
^"Slate's Dear Prudence by Slate Magazine on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
^Malone, Noreen; Rosin, Hanna; Thomas, June (2016-12-29). "The DoubleX Gabfest "Everyone's a Little Bit Sexist" Edition". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^Thomas, June [@junethomas] (7 June 2018). "It's official! Double X Gabfest is now The Waves" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 July 2019 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
^ a bKaufman, Leslie (2014-05-04). "Slate Raising Its Investment in Podcasts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"All Alternatives Considered: How Slate thinks a daily podcast can fit into your evening commute". Nieman Lab. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Hit Parade". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
^The New York Times (2016-11-27). "So Much More Than Laughing Out Loud". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Mom and Dad Are Fighting". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Why We Love The Political Gabfest". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Slate Presents: Charged | A True Punishment Story by Slate Magazine on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
^"Gretchen Rubin: By the Book". The New York Times. 2016-10-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^ a b"Hot Pod: The three numbers that mark the state of podcasting in 2017". Nieman Lab. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Slate's Spoiler Specials by Slate Magazine on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
^Locker, Melissa (2015-08-27). "The Show About Race: the podcast that gets real in not-so-post-racial America". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
^"Manners for the Digital Age". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2017-02-20.
^"Political comedian Hari Kondabolu brings tour to Portland: 'I don't hold back'". OregonLive.com. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
External links
Official website
TheOnwardProject.com, Slate's imprint, a group of self-help podcasts