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The bug has resulted in some chaos with download numbers reported on third-party hosting platforms.

For those closely watching, the fix comes about a monthafter Apple first publicly acknowledged the problem.

As usual, my inbox is open.

(A year ago, Spotifys streaming ad insertion push was still in its infancy.)

The thing to watch next is what the actual baseline growth rate eventually shakes out to be.

The search for a new head of Opinion Audio is currently underway.

Its my understanding that Serial Productions will not be part of Szuchmans purview.

But the promotion has also drawn criticism from at least one former staffer.

Tu declined to comment further when contacted.

WhatIsFireside, Anyway?

(Listen, I get it, I like to think Im unique too.)

I wont be in Nashville Crowds!

but Ill be keeping my ears perked nevertheless.

The Verges Ashley Carman, again,with the story.

Some tension feels like gripping the Writers Guild of America, East.

Im still trying to wrap my head around this, and for those interested, start withthis Poynter write-up.

iHeartMedia announced two sports-related partnerships over the past week:One with Sports Illustrated, andone with the NBA.

Over the weekend, The Guardians Miranda Sawyermade the argumentfor why independent podcasts are in peril.

In other news,I am a monster.

The much-vaunted intimacy between podcast host and listener cuts the other way too.

For one reason or another, Ive been thinking about endings quite a bit recently.

Podcasts that conclude under other, less peaceful circumstances are a whole other issue.

Where I think this gets most interesting is when a podcast ends voluntarily.

Cutting back on releases, taking a break, delegating work these are all good techniques for managing burnout.

But sometimes… youve just got to stop altogether.

A graceful exit is typically out of reach.

This is the part of ending a podcast that is the hardest to acknowledge, I think.

Helen Zaltzman, one of those hosts, rationalised the choice perfectly.

Weve been doing this since 2007, she said.

How many of you have been doing the same job since 2007?

Its a very good question.

Its not how a novel usually concludes.

A character shrugs, and were told that the camera stops, freezing him mid gesture.

In accordance with Larry Davidsfamous Seinfeld mantra, theres no hugging or learning.

Its time to normalise ending things.

Whats In a Name?

And thats nothing to sniff at, considering its not exactly rare for consumers to havenegative reactions to rebrands.

Name changes can trigger confusion, complaints, or slow uptake from audiences.

This, in turn, fuels a desire to get names right on the first try.

That had to be expressed as straightforwardly as possible in the shows title.

So, we came up with a new name for these stories world:Cultureverse.

Cultureverseis a sonically bouncy name.

It sounds vaguely superhero-like, capable of sparking the imagination of someone in middle school.

One show in the portfolio of audio producerRobin Linnserves as a good example.

And neither, Linn figures, do many of the intended listeners of the show.

There are, of course, show titles that say much less, and that do so on purpose.

Again, for Gots, being clear isnt the point.

Instead, he embraces the unpredictable outcome.

Its a weird show, and we like it that way.

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