Podcast consolidation continues unabated in 2022. Is it good for the independent podcast networks being subsumed? Will the expansion of the podcast rosters of these large media companies mean the dreaded "synergy" and greater profitability?
Time will tell on the business end of that equation, but listeners do have concerns about the diversity of content, the rising number of ads, and the derivative nature of corporately produced shows.
With those concerns in mind, Cumulus Media has announced that podcasts from political news and analysis network The Bulwark have joined the Cumulus Podcast Network. Under the terms of the agreement, Cumulus monetizes all existing and forthcoming podcasts from The Bulwark, a first for The Bulwark shows. Cumulus also markets and distributes the podcasts, which include The Bulwark Podcast, Beg to Differ with Mona Charen, The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell, and The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood. The podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Pandora, among other platforms.
“The Bulwark is committed to building a home for the politically untethered through smart political analysis free from tribal loyalties. Our partnership with Cumulus Media will enable The Bulwark to build on its strong audience growth over the past three years," said Bulwark publisher Sarah Longwell. “Cumulus is first class in political podcast advertising and we’re extremely excited to begin this partnership.”
“The Bulwark team has spent years questioning and challenging political assumptions,” said Suzanne Grimes, Executive Vice President Corporate Marketing, Cumulus Media and President, Westwood One. “As we enter what is sure to be one of the most closely followed election cycles, The Bulwark will provide much for our listeners to absorb and ponder.”
The Bulwark podcast roster includes:
The Bulwark Podcast
Charlie Sykes and guests discuss the latest news from inside Washington and around the world. No shouting, grandstanding, or sloganeering. Conservative, conscientious, and civil.
Beg to Differ with Mona Charen
Host Mona Charen is joined by Linda Chavez of the Niskanen Center, Bill Galston of the Brookings Institution, and Damon Linker of The Week in a weekly roundtable discussion of the week’s news in a respectful, rational forum.
The Focus Group with Sarah Longwell
The Bulwark Unfiltered publisher Sarah Longwell, who has conducted hundreds of hours of focus groups all across the country, takes an unfiltered, uncompromising, unexpected look into what the average voter thinks about politics, policy, and current events.
The Bulwark Goes to Hollywood
Host Sonny Bunch interviews folks who have their finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry during this dynamic—and difficult—time.
CUMULUS MEDIA delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, the AP, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across nearly 7,300 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America and through the CUMULUS Podcast Network.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank You for your input and feedback. If you requested a response, we will do so as soon as possible.