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Heres a positive (and fascinating!)
Maximum Fun has always been kind of idiosyncratic.
So what does becoming a workers co-op mean?
(As part of this shift, Chatterji and Thorn will both become worker-owners.)
(Maximum Fun is said to be profitable.)
You have to vote on things.
Chatterji notes that little about daily operations will be affected by the shift.
Nothing about salaries will change, he said.
The management structure, as well, will stay the same.
Individual podcasts benefit from the companys services and the aggregated value of being part of a bundled portfolio.
Through this framework, whats being converted into a cooperative is the underlying entity providing those business services.
Chatterji added, Everyone who works here does so for a reason.
To me, this is a natural extension of all these values realized in a way thats practical.
This is MaxFun naturally becoming what it has always been.
First of all, I think its a sustainable model for independent media in general, he said.
The latest episode features, fittingly, the author Neil Gaiman.
In the Darkwas originally launched and produced through APM Reports, the investigative unit at the American Public Media.
All of which is to sayIn the Darkwas a widely and deeply admired operation.
Its one of the few new shows non-media people talk to me about.
(Thoughnot if youre the New YorkTimes, apparently.)
), they had a couple of conversations with a few places, as you do.
Both backed the idea, and Roger Lynch, Condes CEO, signed off.
Baran and Freemark were flown to New York to meet the execs, and that was that.
Short of securing an infinitely wealthy benefactor, this is the best possible outcome forIn the Dark.
But, of course, all thats a little further down the line.
Should we expect more podcast acquisitions byTheNewYorker?
More recently, it revamped and expandedThe Political Scene, which now publishes several times a week.
The answer, Im told, is some version of maybe.
They did, however, state that they expect the transition to be seamless.
In many ways, our team will continue to work as it always has, said Baran.
Our team works really well together, and so there are no big plans to change how we work.
Hey, if it aint broke, dont fix it, yknow?
Its grand to see someone making a real go at narrative podcasts in this industry environment.
Shouts to everybody for a bold, interesting move, at the very least.
Elsewhere …
Wrotea longer reviewofThe AtlanticsHoly Week.
NPRsLouder Than a Riotreturned last week, and the new batch of episodes shifts the direction of its inquiry.
NPR Musics Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael return as hosts.
The post coversa lotof ground, plus several specific claims of corporate chicanery.
Unfortunately, the show wasnt connecting with a wider audience so we made the decision not to move forward.
It really is as simple as that.
Relatedly, Westervelts reported climate true-crime series,Drilled,returned for a new seasonlast week.
Almost makes me wish I lived in L.A.
Also coming back:The Lazarus Heist.
Ostroff, of course, held the chief content role at Spotify untilher departure in January.
Successionis coming back soon (with its final season!
), which means HBOs officialSuccessioncompanion podalso returns soon.
In the meantime, you should pregame with thisJoe Pompeo sit-down with the legend Frank Richover onVanity Fair.
Is this me once again linking to One Heat Minute Productions experiments with the film-podcast genre?
Why, yes, yes indeed.
Whats not to like?
Speaking of film podcasts … Ill never get bored with efforts to March Madnessify everything.
Its a good gag!
Ive been feverishly keeping tabs on theBlank CheckandFilmspottingbrackets.
