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Libsyn Offers MyLibsyn, A Cross-Platform Premium Content Repository For Podcasters

John Biggs — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:49:44 +0000

As everyone and their dog moves to online production, podcasters have long hunted for a way to monetize their goods. Apps are available that let you sell podcasts for a set price, but what about aggregation over multiple platforms and using varying monetization models? More important, podcasters don’t want to do all the computerin’ to make these things work. That’s why Libsyn created MyLibsyn, a cross-platform (web, iOS, and Android) system for disseminating free and paid content from a central app.

Libsyn has just created something akin to the Netflix of content syndication. Podcasters who join must offer one piece of premium content per month as well as make their back catalog subscriber-only. Although they already offer standalone Android and iOS apps for certain podcasts, MyLibsyn assists in podcast discovery by putting all the popular podcasts in one place and, by ensuring only quality product appears in the app, it reduces the chance that podcast listeners will be disappointed and move on.

Full disclosure: I recently moved my podcast to Libsyn after Mevio pulled the plug on their general production system, so I’ve been able to see how the products work firsthand. Fellow Mevio sufferers: Libsyn is offering free import from Mevio. I put the instructions here.

That said, the model is fairly interesting, especially considering how hard it is to bring good content to the fore in the crowded podcast marketplace. They’ve started the program with a few popular podcasts including the WTF Podcast with Marc Maron.

“It is a easy way for producers to make premium content available to their audience – and it does not require any special RSS feeds or other tech knowledge by the end users to subscribe and consume content,” said Rob Walch, Libsyn, VP of Podcaster Relations. “You sign up for a subscription to get premium content. And it really helps to support the producers directly.”

“We have a lot of producers with great evergreen content (all the big comedy podcasts) and many were looking for a way to better monetize their content,” he said. “This solution was really driven very strongly by the requirements of Marc Maron for his show and content. He was having an issue with others posting old content – and we needed a way to make sure premium content would be very secure.”

The company is also looking into making the service available for premium users including training customers who need to make video content available to a secure group of subscribers.

Podcasters can sign up here but you have to be a Libsyn customer and meet certain requirements to participate.

Pro Tip: Don’t Pivot Your Way Into Irrelevancy

John Biggs — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:25:18 +0000

They say news is what happens to the editor on his way to work, so here’s some news: podcast distributor Mevio has apparently pivoted right out of the game. The company hosted a number of well-known webcasts including, for a long time, the late GeekBrief.tv. I used the service for about two years to host my own podcast and was quite happy with the service, as were a number of other users I spoke to.

This weekend the Mevio suspended a large number of their “customers” (the service was free but there was no visible way to pay for service), asking them to request producer access in order to gain access to their show pages. This move locks down the podcast completely and there is no way to change the XML to move the podcast and set iTunes to point to a new server.

Mevio wouldn’t answer requests for comment.

Clearly Mevio is pivoting to become more of a media source than a podcast distributor. Founded by MTV’s own Adam Curry, the company recently announced a move to “unify” channels that could explain their lockdown:

“By unifying our previously independent online channels, Mevio is now able to more accurately represent our significant growth, and underscore our increasing value to brand advertisers,” said Ron Bloom, Mevio’s CEO. “Our top 15 ranking on comScore reflects Mevio’s focus on building a true entertainment network that combines the reach and frequency of traditional television with the interaction and accountability of the Internet.”

Mevio has been increasingly attracting large brand advertisers and management expects the company’s explosive growth will enable it to better serve brands that are interested in advertising on entertainment sites that deliver TV quality, original content.

However, the company mentions nothing on their site nor did they inform any of the customers. A few Mevio users on Twitter complained and there are a number of requests on the iTunes Podcasting forum for a way to move iTunes feed pointers to other servers. However, if you’re not part of Mevio’s pivot, you’re SOL.

The takeaway here is that when you pivot, either shut down entirely and reopen or explain every step of the way. Big ideas can fail, but when you take out a swathe of your user base used to your “old” system in order to clear space for a new mission, you do little but spread bad will. In the end, it’s important to pivot when you must, but don’t take out your customers while you do it.

TCTV: The TechCrunch Gadgets Webcast

John Biggs — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:22:58 +0000

Welcome to another exciting episode of the TechCrunch Gadgets Webcast. This week we talk about the Kindle Fire, the Nook Tablet, the Nexus, and SOPA. Plus, we have a special surprise for all those who prefer sound to moving pictures.

This is the first week I’ve extracted the audio from the video webcast and saved it to a downloadable MP3 podcast that you can subscribe to via RSS or iTunes. Hopefully you enjoy this version as well.

TCTV: TechCrunch Gadgets Webcast

John Biggs — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:45:01 +0000

In this episode of the TechCrunch Gadgets Webcast we assess the value of camera film, decide that Devin is the 6th Decemberist, and express how much we love Asus’ new ultrabook.

We promise every week that we’ll do these more often and we love doing them. Our questions: is it too short? Too long? What would you like to hear about? Would you like guests? Is the format alright? Would you prefer an audio podcast or should we strip the video for audio consumption? We, as you well know, are at your service.

Hourtime Episode 27: The HM3 and getting stabbed

John Biggs — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:05:25 +0000

http://www.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf

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Music by Mombojo

Theme music by Rick Barr

A new HourTime episode, straight from JCK in Vegas

John Biggs — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:42:57 +0000

http://www.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf

Warning: Podcast includes extreme watch nerdery.

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Tune in at 3:30pm EDT for CrunchGear's live podcast

John Biggs — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:15:37 +0000

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fCrunchGear%2fplay_list.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=630&height=105&volume=80&corner=rounded

Here are some of the topics from today’s podcast…

New Macbooks and Hackintosh Tablets
Kodak’s new devices
3D Camcorders

Feel free to call in at (646) 200-4163 to ask questions.

LISTEN: Show Link | RSS Feed | iTunes Link

Tune in at 3pm EDT today for the CrunchGear Live Podcast

John Biggs — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:38:10 +0000

Here are some of the topics from today’s podcast…

iPad
iPad
iPad Bags
iPad
iPad
iPad

Feel free to call in at (646) 200-4163 to ask questions.

LISTEN: Show Link | RSS Feed | iTunes Link

Join us for the CrunchGear and Friends podcast

John Biggs — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:34:34 +0000

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf

Join us at 3pm New York Time/Noon Pacific for the CrunchGear and Friends podcast with a live interview with ZipDX founder. You can call in to talk to the guys at 1 (646) 200-4163 and we welcome questions, comments, or random bursts of profanity (looking at you, Dad!). We hope you enjoy the rebirth of the CrunchGear podcast.

New HourTime Podcast for you and yours

John Biggs — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:41:10 +0000

http://ui.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf?r=35954

Don’t forget: We’re going to be trying something brand new on Friday – a 30 minute show called the HourTime Help Desk. But we need your help. On Friday at 6:30 PM Eastern/3:30 PM Pacific we’re going to run a call-in talk show we’re calling Help Desk. We’ll still do our regular show, but this second show will probably run once every two weeks, if you guys like it, and we’ll talk about your watch questions and discuss your collections, your watch choices, and your favorite brands.

Richard Mille Diver

Outland 3H

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Another Hourtime Episode

John Biggs — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:00:58 +0000

http://ui.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf?r=35870

In this episode we talk about watch repair tips and some classic watch legends. Enjoy!

Mentioned this episode:

Chad the Watch Guy

Otto Frei watch repair

Tokyoflash

Hourtime Episode 14 – Xetum, UBoat, and More

John Biggs — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:19:26 +0000

http://ui.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf?r=35832

In this episode the boys talk about watch collecting and the magic of eBay. We also visit with Xetum watches and UBoat and talk about Navy Seal watches from JLC.

Send a photo of your watch collection to tips@hourtimeshow.com and we’ll post it here!

Here is the Gibson story we talk about.

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Hourtime Episode 13 – Pet Peeves

John Biggs — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:00:35 +0000

http://ui.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf?r=35745

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New HourTime Episode: Enjoy Now!

John Biggs — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:49:46 +0000

http://ui.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf?r=35302

A new HourTime watch podcast for your edification. Admit it. You really like it. Right?

Guys? Right?

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Hourtime Podcast: The Lair of the White Watch

John Biggs — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:46:18 +0000

http://ui.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf?r=35283

Here’s another red-hot watch podcast for all you watch fans out there. Happy Holidays and enjoy.

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HourTime Episode 7: Watches for the Holidays

John Biggs — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:30:30 +0000

http://www.mevio.com/widgets/mwm/MevioWM.swf

I hope you guys are enjoying this podcast. We have a blast putting it together and this episode we talk about some great watches for you and yours along with some real junk. Enjoy!

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