Updates from ESPN Podcasts: Downloads Soar in 2018, Measurement Now Certified

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Updates from ESPN Podcasts: Downloads Soar in 2018, Measurement Now Certified

Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter January 8, 2019
Miami, FL - November 11, 2014: (L to R) Portrait of Jon " Stugotz " Weiner and Dan Le Batard

Downloads Soar in 2018

In 2018, ESPN’s podcast business compiled 411 million IAB Certified downloads, as measured by Blubrry, an increase of 43% over the previous year.

The most downloaded show was The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, with more than 91 million IAB Certified downloads. On the heels of this success, the Le Batard and Friends Podcast Network will be launching in early 2019 with new shows.

First Take, the leading television show podcast, was next with more than 31 million IAB Certified downloads.  Among original podcasts, 538: Politics enjoyed another strong year with more than 26 million, followed by Fantasy Focus Football with more than 21 million.

The Stephen A. Smith Show podcast was the year’s biggest mover, increasing downloads 250% while 30 for 30, First Take and ESPN FC all more than doubled downloads.

 

ESPN’s Podcast Measurement Now Certified

Major Step Forward in Quantifying Downloads

ESPN’s podcast measurement vendor Blubrry has announced in coordination with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) that their measurement system, which ESPN uses, is now “Certified” as compliant with the IAB guidelines.  This important step forward ensures accuracy in quantifying downloads for media and advertisers.  ESPN is one of a limited number of major podcast producers to attain this level of acknowledgement and approval.

“Our certification is a direct result of ESPN working with our vendor and the IAB to ensure that ESPN metrics are aligned with the IAB Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines,” said E.Thomas Ricks, ESPN vice president, digital strategy and marketing.  “That said, this in no way impacts our podcast download numbers we’ve previously published.  We’ve always held ourselves to this high standard and now have the certification as validation of that.  ESPN continues to advocate for better measurement as the podcast landscape changes and evolves.”

In making the announcement, Todd Cochrane, Blubrry CEO said, “This is the gold standard. There is no substitution to certification of compliance.”

 

ESPN Podcasts

ESPN Audio launched its first podcast in 2005 and is a leader in the sports genre with more than 35 original offerings, plus shows from ESPN Radio and television. Offerings focus on “sports passions” (NFL, NBA, MLB, etc.), storytelling (“30 for 30”) and compelling personalities. The most popular titles include Fantasy Focus Football, The Lowe Post as well as podcasts of ESPN Radio’s The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, and TV’s First Take, Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn.  In 2018, ESPN’s podcast business broke its record for most downloads in a month three times.

 

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Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter January 8, 2019
Photo of Dave Nagle

Dave Nagle

As I write this on 11-11-21, it's now 35 years for me at ESPN, the only real job I’ve ever had. I joined merely to help with the upcoming America’s Cup in Australia. I was told it would be for three months at all of $5.50 per hour. I like to say I simply kept showing up. I’ve worked on almost every sport, plus answered viewer calls and letters (people used to write!), given tours, written the company newsletter and once drove NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon to the local airport. My travels have been varied…I’ve been to Martinsville, Darlington, Indy and Super Bowls; the America’s Cup (all 3) in San Diego and College GameDay in the sport’s meccas such as Eugene, Auburn, Lubbock, Stillwater and more; the NBA Finals, Wimbledon (16 times and counting) and the “other Bristol,” the one with a race track in Tennessee. These days, my main areas are tennis, UFC, boxing, network-wide ratings (by month/quarter/year), and corporate communications documents, including fact sheets, chronologies, lists and nearly 35 of the Year in Review press releases. UPDATE EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER: Today, November 11, 2022, I am retiring from ESPN -- 36 years to the day I began. As I ride off into the sunset – top down and E Street Radio blaring – I do so with so many wonderful memories, proud of my contributions and a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity. 
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