Playdio - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Playdio Show?

A Playdio Show is similar to a recorded radio show or podcast, except that it uses a streaming digital music service as its broadcast platform.

Radio shows are typically a selection of music, separated by spoken word (chat, banter and interviews). So, to create a Playdio Show, a show’s producer chooses music from a digital music service, and records and uploads the spoken word bits as separate tracks to the same digital music service. The spoken word tracks and musical selections are re-assembled to create a shareable playlist

This shareable playlist is a Playdio Show.

Will Playdio shows replace Podcasts?
Podcasts currently have the advantage of being relatively easy to distribute. They are not limited to any service’s user-base, so you don’t need an account with anyone to subscribe to a podcast.

However, the two main problems with podcasts are that [1] you can’t easily include music, as there isn’t a licensing framework, and [2] there is no natural monetisation mechanism for the podcast creator. Playdio addresses these key issues, and as streaming music services become more ubiquitous, this “ease of distribution” advantage will become more marginal.
Will Playdio shows only be available on Spotify?
Playdio only really suits either streaming or subscription music services. If we uploaded Playdio shows to an a-la-carte service, (where you pay for every individual download), the price you would have to pay for the entire show and its related music would be prohibitive.

Spotify is currently a great fit for what we are trying to achieve. We are already in talks with a number of other streaming and subscription platforms to host Playdio shows, and look forward to announcing new partners shortly.  Ideally we would like Playdio to be completely platform independent to ensure shows are as widely available as possible.

How can I listen to a Playdio show on the tube / in my car / on the train / while on holiday?
If you take out a Spotify Premium subscription, you can cache your Playdio shows on a compatible mobile device, and make them playable “off line”.

How do I get the Spotify program?
The free, advertising supported version of Spotify is currently invite only. You can sign up for the Premium version at www.spotify.com. Spotify is currently only available in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, France and Spain.

So, what’s the Plan?

We will launch an initial collection of Playdio Shows in early June 2010.  We are developing our website at www.playdio.com where listeners can search and browse for Playdio shows.   The site will also have a secure area for show creators to upload their shows to Spotify.

Who are “we”?

We are Kudos Records, a Music Distribution company and Digital Aggregator based in London. You can find out more about us at www.kudosrecords.co.uk and www.kudos-digital.co.uk.  We supply music to all the main digital services, including Itunes, Emusic, Juno, Beatport, and of course Spotify.

Contact: Sam Shemtob