Podcasts

Podcasting is experiencing a Netflix moment. Global hits – from the ground-breaking Serial to Up and Vanished, and TV crossovers such as Dirty John – and Spotify’s plan to spend up to $500m on leading producers have made podcasts a hot media property. Global monthly podcast listener figures are forecast to grow more than six-fold, from 287 million in 2016 to 1.85 billion in 2023, according to the Ovum research company Ovum. In the UK, Ofcom says that nearly 6 million people tune into a podcast each week, double the number of five years ago. “A Netflix moment is a very accurate characterisation of what is happening in podcasting,” says Hernan Lopez, the founder of the podcast studio Wondery, maker of hits including Dr Death and Over My Dead Body. “I would say we are reaching an inflection point. Huge numbers of people are realising that there is great content available that isn’t offered by traditional players.” This moment has not been … [Read more...] about Podcasting’s Netflix moment: the global battle for domination

Talking points Another week, another podcast getting a TV remake: this time around it’s Dr Death, the smash hit series from Wondery about a two-year-long spree of medical malpractice committed by US spinal surgeon Christopher Duntsch, to which Universal Cable Productions – makers of Mr Robot and The Sinner – have snapped up the rights. Given the gruesomeness of the subject matter, the adaptation might make for challenging viewing, though that has hardly hindered the original podcast, which has been downloaded more than 8m times since launching last month, according to Hot Pod. Universal are also remaking another popular Wondery effort – the true crime series Dirty John – starring Connie Britton and Eric Bana. GM Picks of the week Heavyweight Jonathan Goldstein’s touching and surprising podcast about life-changing decisions and regrets returns for a very welcome third series. If you haven’t already listened, start with the story of Gregor, a man … [Read more...] about Dr Death: the gruesome series that became an unlikely hit – podcasts of the week

When, just weeks after taking office, Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to the supreme court, the newly minted US president made good on a central promise of his campaign: to replace the late justice Antonin Scalia with a bona fide conservative. That moment foreshadowed what is shaping up to be among the most indelible of Trump’s triumphs – the reshaping of the federal judiciary with the appointment of dozens of judges with an ideological bent toward the administration’s agenda. Republicans are working with Trump to make a record-breaking number of appointments to federal courts. These new, mostly young, white men will be in a position to rule on legislation that could change America for years. But the most contentious appointment would be a second nomination to the highest court in the land. The supreme court has over decades delivered landmark decisions on issues from abortion to affirmative action and same-sex marriage. The potential for Trump to install another … [Read more...] about Why a second supreme court pick for Trump is liberals’ worst nightmare

Peter Crouch has finally revealed the name of his baby son — and it's the real deal this time. The footballer, 38, announced that the tot has been named Jack, six weeks after wife Abbey Clancy , 33, gave birth. His news comes after he joked that the little one was called Divock Samrat, named after Liverpool FC star Divock Origi and his favourite curry house. Writing in the Daily Mail , Peter said: "We have just welcomed our fourth child, Jack, into the family and the wonderful chaos that comes with a new baby means it hasn't really hit me that I haven't gone back for pre-season training. "Life is hectic in a brilliant way." Peter had announced Jack's birth on his Twitter page when the baby boy was just a day old. He wrote: "Our beautiful baby boy was born Monday 3rd June mother and baby Divock Samrat Crouch are doing well." The sportsman later revealed that the name had been a joke on That Peter Crouch Podcast — and said Abbey had been in on the gag. He said: "He … [Read more...] about Peter Crouch finally reveals son’s REAL name six weeks after Abbey Clancy gave birth

Abbey Clancy has discussed the up and downs of motherhood and how she is "running on empty" since welcoming her fourth child Jack in June. The model, 33, who shares her children Sophia, eight, Liberty, four, Johnny, one, and newborn Jack with her husband Peter Crouch, 38, has told life is "hard as a mum" but she "loves having a busy house." When asked on how she juggles family life, the lingerie model told OK! magazine : "When I’m at home and the kids are driving me crazy, I want to go to work and be on my own for an hour. I love having a busy house, though, it just feels really natural to me.” She also opened up on finding balance, as she said: "You’ve got the school run, you’ve got homework, you’ve got after-school clubs, play dates and toddler groups. It’s finding that balance and not feeling guilty about leaving them to have an hour to yourself. "It’s hard as a mum and you’ve just got to listen to your body, go with whatever feels … [Read more...] about Abbey Clancy admits she is ‘running on empty’ as she opens up on the struggles of having a newborn