Yeah, that’s it, baby. Aural, as in “of the ear.” Whether you call them audio series or audio dramas or entertainment podcasts, scripted series of the type that once dominated the airwaves way back when your grandparents were kids are in the midst of a rebirth, and we’re glad to see it.
Podimo raises 6 Million euros to become Europe’s ‘Netflix for podcasts’
by Steve O’Hear
Podimo, a Copenhagen-based startup building what it hopes will become Europe’s “Netflix for podcasts,” has raised €6 million in seed funding prior to launch. The round is co-led by Germany’s E.ventures and Denmark’s Heartcore, reflecting the young company’s two planned country launches later this year.
Founded by Morten Strunge, who has a track record in subscription media products via audio books service Mofibo (which he sold to Storytel), Podimo is hoping to capitalise on the rise in consumption in podcasts. Ambitiously, this will include both a free and paid version of its product, with the aim of creating a reliable revenue stream for podcast producers. The startup’s other founders are Nikolaj Koppel, Andreas Sachse and Sverre Dueholm.
“Podcasts have finally come of age and we are seeing a lot of demand for audio content globally across many different demographics,” Strunge tells me. “Consumers are increasingly looking for premium, ad-free services and we see a huge potential in the podcasting space.”
The Podimo app has been designed to provide a “superior experience” in discovery and recommendation compared to existing podcast streaming and download services. The idea, says Strunge, is to make it as seamless and easy as possible to find your next podcast.
“We believe that with the fast increasing amount of podcasts available, curation and discovery becomes more and more important to both unfold content in a relevant context and to the right individual user, which will benefit both podcast creators and consumers,” he says.
By launching a freemium model, where a paid version provides unlimited listening and features, Strunge believes there is an opportunity to work closely with podcast creators to strengthen the podcast ecosystem and make it less reliant on advertising revenue. “We want to become the preferred partner for creators, by both working closely with their content, curate and match it with each individual user, but also by offering a superior monetisation model,” he explains….
ReviewGeek.Com is looking for a few experienced writers to join their team on a freelance basis. We’re talking about a technology website focusing on saving everybody time and money when it comes to picking the best and most suitable “toys” to shell out hard-earned money on.
The site puts it this way:
Whether you’re standing in a store aisle debating between products on the shelf or shopping in bed with your phone, we’re here with the best recommendations, tips, and guides. We pore over every new product so you can quickly find the best fit for your needs and lifestyle instead of wasting your free time sifting through endless reviews, comparisons, and comments.
Review Geek’ pay scale starts at $100/article, and their ideal candidates “can contribute four or five articles ” a week ranging from 800 to 1600 words each.
Clearly, this is an entry-level gig, but, hey, if you get it, you’ll definitely be able to smile at yourself in the mirror and go, “I’m really a writer!” or “Yeah, baby!” or whatever it takes to get you through the day.
Interested? Just about everything you need to know, including the specific requirements and how to apply, is HERE
As usual, we’re reporting, not recommending. If you follow up, please let us know how the experience went, and if you get the job, don’t forget to tell us so we can enjoy your good fortune with you.
The 71st Emmy Awards will be telecast on Sunday, Sept. 22.
via TV Academy Press Release
This may look like a lot of writers here on a web page, but please believe us when we say they did a hell of a lot of fine writing!
TVWriter™ congratulates the following writing nominees.
Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series
Barry • ronny/lily • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Alec Berg and Hanarply
Alec Berg, Written by
Bill Hader, Written by
Fleabag • Episode 1 • Prime Video • All3Media International Limited and Amazon Studios
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Written by
The Good Place • Janet(s) • NBC • Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment
Josh Siegal, Written by
Dylan Morgan, Written by
PEN15 • Anna Ishii-Peters • Hulu • Awesomeness TV, Odenkirk Provissiero, Lonely Island Classics
Maya Erskine, Written by
Anna Konkle, Written by
Russian Doll • Nothing In This World Is Easy • Netflix • Universal Television in association with Jax Media, Paper Kite
Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment, Shoot to Midnight, Avenue A
Leslye Headland, Teleplay by & Story by
Natasha Lyonne, Story by
Amy Poehler, Story by
Russian Doll • A Warm Body • Netflix • Universal Television in association with Jax Media, Paper Kite Productions, 3 Arts
Entertainment, Shoot to Midnight, Avenue A
Allison Silverman, Written by
Veep • Veep • HBO • HBO Entertainment
David Mandel, Written by
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
Better Call Saul • Winner • AMC • High Bridge, Crystal Diner, Gran Via Productions and Sony Pictures Television
Peter Gould, Written by
Thomas Schnauz, Written by
Bodyguard • Episode 1 • Netflix • World Productions
Jed Mercurio, Written by
Game Of Thrones • The Iron Throne • HBO • HBO EntertainPmaegnet6i1n association with Bighead, Littlehead; 360Game Of Thrones • The Iron Throne • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Bighead, Littlehead; 360
Television/Startling Television
David Benioff, Written by
D.B. Weiss, Written by
The Handmaid’s Tale • Holly • Hulu • MGM, Daniel Wilson Productions, The Littlefield Company, White Oak Pictures
Bruce Miller, Teleplay by
Kira Snyder, Teleplay by
Killing Eve • Nice And Neat • BBC America • Sid Gentle Films Ltd.
Emerald Fennell, Written by
Succession • Nobody Is Ever Missing • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus and Gary Sanchez
Productions
Jesse Armstrong, Written by
Outstanding Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Chernobyl • HBO • HBO Miniseries and SKY in association with Word Games, The Mighty Mint and Sister Pictures
Craig Mazin, Written by
Escape At Dannemora • Episode 6 • Showtime • Red Hour, Busyhands, The White Mountain Company, Michael De Luca
Productions, BZ Entertainment
Brett Johnson, Written by
Michael Tolkin, Written by
Jerry Stahl, Written by
Escape At Dannemora • Episode 7 • Showtime • Red Hour, Busyhands, The White Mountain Company, Michael De Luca
Productions, BZ Entertainment
Brett Johnson, Written by
Michael Tolkin, Written by
Fosse/Verdon • Providence • FX Networks • Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions
Steven Levenson, Teleplay by & Story by
Joel Fields, Story by
A Very English Scandal • Prime Video • Blueprint and Amazon Studios
Russell T Davies, Written by
When They See Us • Part Four • Netflix • Participant Media, Tribeca Productions, Harpo Films, Array Filmworks
Ava DuVernay, Teleplay by & Story by
Michael Starrbury, Teleplay by
Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series
Documentary Now! • IFC • Broadway Video
John Mulaney, Written by
Seth Meyers, Written by
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee • TBS • Jax Media with RanPdaygaen6d2Pam’s Quality Entertainment
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee • TBS • Jax Media with Randy and Pam’s Quality Entertainment
Melinda Taub, Head Writer
Samantha Bee, Written by
Miles Kahn, Written by
Kristen Bartlett, Written by
Mike Drucker, Written by
Pat Cassels, Written by
Eric Drysdale, Written by
Mathan Erhardt, Written by
Nicole Silverberg, Written by
Ashley Nicole Black, Writing Supervised by
Joe Grossman, Writing Supervised by
Allison Silverman, Special Material by
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with Sixteen String Jack Productions and
Avalon Television
Dan Gurewitch, Senior Writer
Jeff Maurer, Senior Writer
Jill Twiss, Senior Writer
Juli Weiner, Senior Writer
Tim Carvell, Written by
Raquel D’Apice, Written by
Josh Gondelman, Written by
Daniel O’Brien, Written by
John Oliver, Written by
Owen Parsons, Written by
Charlie Redd, Written by
Joanna Rothkopf, Written by
Ben Silva, Written by
Seena Vali, Written by
Late Night With Seth Meyers • NBC • Universal Television and Broadway Video
Jermaine Affonso, Written by
Alex Baze, Written by
Karen Chee, Written by
Bryan Donaldson, Written by
Sal Gentile, Written by
Matt Goldich, Written by
Dina Gusovsky, Written by
Jennifer Hagel, Written by
Allison Hord, Written by
Michael Karnell, Written by
John Lutz, Written by
Seth Meyers, Written by
Ian Morgan, Written by
Seth Reiss, Written by
Amber Ruffin, Written by
Mike Scollins, Written by
Mike Shoemaker, Written by
Ben Warheit, Written by
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert • CBS • CBS TelevisioPnaSg teu6d3ios
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert • CBS • CBS Television Studios
Opus Moreschi, Head Writer
Jay Katsir, Head Writer
Aaron Cohen, Written by
Stephen Colbert, Written by
Tom Purcell, Written by
Barry Julien, Written by
Paul Dinello, Written by
Matt Lappin, Written by
Michael Brumm, Written by
Emmy Blotnick, Written by
Cullen Crawford, Written by
Ariel Dumas, Written by
Glenn Eichler, Written by
Django Gold, Written by
Gabe Gronli, Written by
Greg Iwinski, Written by
Daniel Kibblesmith, Written by
Kate Sidley, Written by
Jen Spyra, Written by
Brian Stack, Written by
John Thibodeaux, Written by
Michael Pielocik, Written by
Asher Perlman, Written by
Eliana Kwartler, Written by
Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Michael Che, Head Writer
Colin Jost, Head Writer
Kent Sublette, Head Writer
Bryan Tucker, Senior Writer
James Anderson, Written by
Steven Castillo, Written by
Andrew Dismukes, Written by
Anna Drezen, Written by
Alison Gates, Written by
Steve Higgins, Written by
Sam Jay, Written by
Erik Kenward, Written by
Michael Koman, Written by
Alan Linic, Written by
Eli Coyote Mandel, Written by
Lorne Michaels, Written by
John Mulaney, Written by
Josh Patten, Written by
Simon Rich, Written by
Gary Richardson, Written by
Pete Schultz, Written by
Marika Sawyer, Written by
Will Stephen, Written by
Julio Torres, Written by
Bowen Yang, Written by
Megan Callahan, Weekend Update Written by
Dennis McNicholas, Weekend Update Written by
Katie Rich, Weekend Update Written by
Fran Gillespie, Writing Supervised by
Sudi Green, Writing Supervised by
St reeter Seidell, Writing Supervised by
Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh • Netflix • Irwin EntertainmentPlaHg aep6p4y Madison Productions
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh • Netflix • Irwin Entertainment l Happy Madison Productions
Adam Sandler, Written by
Amy Schumer Growing • Netflix • It’s So Easy Productions, Inc.
Amy Schumer, Written by
Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live From Liverpool • CBS • CBS Television Studios / Fulwell 73
Matt Roberts, Head Writer
James Corden, Written by
Rob Crabbe, Written by
Lawrence Dai, Written by
Dicky Eagan, Written by
Nate Fernald, Written by
Lauren Greenberg, Written by
John Kennedy, Written by
Ian Karmel, Written by
James Longman, Written by
Jared Moskowitz, Written by
Sean O’Connor, Written by
Tim Siedell, Written by
Benjamin Stout, Written by
Louis Waymouth, Written by
Ben Winston, Written by
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette • Netflix • A Netflix Original Production
Hannah Gadsby, Written by
Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé • Netflix • Parkwood Entertainment
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Written by
Wanda Sykes: Not Normal • Netflix • Push It Productions
Wanda Sykes, Written by
Outstanding Writing For A Nonfiction Program
Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown • Kenya • CNN • CNN Original Series, Zero Point Zero Production, Inc.
Anthony Bourdain, Written by
The Case Against Adnan Syed • Forbidden Love • HBO • HBO Documentary Films in association with Instinct, Working Title
Television, Disarming Films and Sky
Amy J. Berg, Written by
Fyre Fraud • Hulu • Hulu in association with Cinemart
Julia Willoughby Nason, Written by
Jenner Furst, Written by
Hostile Planet • Grasslands • National Geographic • Plimsoll Productions
Bruce Kennedy, Written by
Our Planet • Jungles • Netflix • Silverback Films
Huw Cordey, Written by
Keith Scholey, Written by
Alastair Fothergill, Written by
Sir David Attenborough, Written by
Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics And Men • Episode 1 • Showtime • A Mass Appeal Production in association with Endeavor Content
Paul Greenhouse, Written by
Sacha Jenkins, Written by
Peter J. Scalettar,
Last week the spotlight turned from the latest in the Writers Guild of America-Talent Agents Association conflict to some backstage drama on HBO’s hit series Big Little Lies.
The first shot was fired on IndieWire by Chris O’Falt with article about HBO brass, Big Little Lies boss David E. Kelley (a name you may have encountered one or two hundred times before on various sites including this one), and director-producer Jean-Marc Vallee denying BLL second season director Andrea Arnold creative control of the show and re-editing all the episodes after the season finished shooting.
The return volley by the HBO biggies was reported by Dominic Patten for Deadline (a middle-of-the-road site committed to keeping the showbiz boat from rocking). The article begins with HBO’s praise for Andrea Arnold and then careful explains the underlying reality of TV in the USA – creative control always rests with the network where the show appears, with the executive producers taking care of the hands-on application of corporate fiat.
TVWriter™ being dedicated to educating its visitors in the sometimes honorable (and sometimes not )and sometimes creative (and sometimes not) business of TV, we think it’s important to present both sides of the story for everybody’s edification, indignation, and entertainment.
With that in mind, take a gander at the following links:
NOTE FROM MUNCHMAN: Bottom line – to me this is just another example of business as usual. Things like this occur in all possible variations everyday. Or, to quote Leo Tolstoy himself, “Nothing to see, folks, nothing to see. Move on, move on, move on….” Hmm, doesn’t sound much like Tolstoy, does it? Oh well.
It seems more than appropriate that this video about Stareable.Com’s Stareable Fest is presented exactly the way we (well, LB anyway) believe a web series should be.
Yes, we know this is about last year’s gathering. But this year’s Stareable Fest 2019 starts this Saturday. Are you ready to meet and greet?
