The launch of ‘The Daily’ by the New York Times significantly transformed the audio industry. Paula Szuchman, the Director of Audio at the New York Times, believes that the podcast not only revolutionized the company’s strategy but also altered the very fabric of journalism. ‘The Daily’ has made New York Times journalism more accessible, engaging listeners through compelling storytelling and investigative work. As Szuchman points out: “It is essential, opening up a reporter’s notebook. — providing a behind-the-scenes look at the reporting process and engaging directly with experts, as seen in episodes covering complex topics like the war in Gaza.
Building on the success of ‘The Daily’, The New York Times introduced more shows like ‘The Run-Up’ podcast, hosted by Astead W. Herndon, a notable guest host from ‘The Daily’. This podcast addresses the challenge of covering presidential elections amid the misinformation, aiming to deliver clear, daily content to its audience.
The New York Times continues to expand its podcast portfolio by working with talented people to make audio content. ‘The Daily’ serves as a powerful platform for promoting new shows, leveraging its substantial audience to introduce these new projects. The strategy involves featuring hosts from existing popular shows or highlighting new content in newsfeeds to draw in listeners. However, the success of these new podcasts hinges on their quality – they must captivate and retain their audience on their merits. The products maintain their individuality, yet at the core of the app and the entire suite is the foundational news content of the New York Times, even if they probably won’t be existing without the daily.
