“COVID-19 COLLABORATION” IS BUILDING A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FOR NONCOM MUSIC STATIONS • LATEST PODTRAC PODCAST RANKINGS

In early April, Mike Henry, CEO of Paragon Media Strategies, announced the debut of the “Covid-19 Collaboration for Public Radio Music Stations.”

In just a month, the collaboration has become a go-to resource for coping with the Covid-19 pandemic. The collaboration is also building a virtual community for noncom AAA and Alt Rock stations just when they need it the most.

The Covid-19 Collaboration is built around a Facebook page [link]. The project is managed by Paragon in association with PRPD, NFCB and the trade paper Current.

When the 2020 AAA NONCOMMvention was cancelled because of Covid-19 concerns, Henry decided to start the group to bring public radio Adult Rock music stations together for a common cause.

Now, there are more than three-dozen stations participating stations and the Facebook page has almost 200 members. Most of the stations air AAA and Alt rock music, but Classical, Jazz and Community stations have joined the effort.

According Henry, at first the Facebook page provided advice. As the weeks in April went by, station folks began posting news about their stations, events and the ways they have mobilized local artists and listeners. We found it to be fascinating to read about “basement concerts” that ease the sense of isolation.

Mike Henry (right)

Henry told Spark News:

“These stations are showing their listeners — and all radio broadcasters — how quickly they can spin on a dime and create new content, ramp up engagement and increase community support in a time of need.

We are grateful for the efforts byf Mike Henry, Paragon Media Strategies, project partners and participating stations. This is public radio at its very best.

AND NOW, HERE IS PODTRAC’S LIST OF THE TOP 20 PODCASTS

On the left is a chart that Podtrac actually distributed to the media regarding their top podcasts for April.

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you – There is nothing there!

If you want the know which podcasts are in Podtrac's Top 20, your will have to open your wallet and pay them $3,599, immediately!

The reason is, the information has been hidden behind a pay-wall.

The folks at Podtrac have never been good at public relations. 

But, this is new low for a company that lists only SOME of the top podcasts and publishers.

The timing of Podtrac’s change is terrible and the way they rolled out sucks.   

Who needs Podtrac anyway?