Relay FM
Relay FM is a podcast network covering a diverse range of subjects including pens, video games, mobile app development, entrepreneurship, and productivity. It was founded 18 August 2014[1] by Myke Hurley and Stephen M. Hackett.[2] The network's hosts include Christina Warren, senior tech editor at Gizmodo; CGP Grey, educational YouTuber and co-host of the podcast Hello Internet; Simone de Rochefort, video editor at Polygon; Casey Liss, Marco Arment, John Siracusa from the Accidental Tech Podcast; and Brianna Wu, cofounder of Giant Spacekat.
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Podcast |
| Genre | Podcast |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder |
|
| Headquarters | |
Number of employees | 3 |
| Website | relay |
In 2015, many podcasts moved under the Relay FM network and added to the diversity of the hosts and topics. Christina Warren, Brianna Wu, and Simone de Rochefort from Rocket; Aleen Simms from Less Than or Equal; Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost from Studio Neat; Yasmine Evjen, Andy Ihnatko, and Russell Ivanovic from Material; and David Sparks and Katie Floyd from Mac Power Users all joined the network or started new shows since Relay FM's inception.
When the podcast network launched, it had five shows: Analog(ue), Connected, Inquisitive, The Pen Addict, and Virtual.[2] Eventually the company expanded to 28 live shows on the network (in addition to the extra B-Sides podcast consisting of before and after show snippets and Departures which is the audio feed of live events), nine paid members only shows, and 17 retired shows (four of which have been replaced by similar programs, while one of those replacements has itself ended).[2][3]
On 9 October 2015, Relay FM launched its mobile application,[4][5] allowing users to discover new shows, listen to the latest shows, and be notified when their favorite show is broadcasting live. Users of the app can also subscribe to shows in their podcast app of choice from the Relay FM app. It is currently available on iOS only.
In September, 2019, Relay FM became the first St. Jude Children's Research Hospital podcast partner.[6] On the 20th, Myke Hurley and Stephen Hackett hosted a 6 hour podcast-a-thon to help raise money for St. Jude. By the end of the month, RelayFM raised over $300,000.[7]
Podcasts
Current
| Podcast | Hosts | Launch date on Relay FM | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analog(ue) |
|
18 August 2014 | Hosts discuss how electronics affect their lives. |
| Connected |
|
18 August 2014 | Hosts discuss Apple and the impact of technology. |
| The Pen Addict |
|
18 August 2014 | Discussion of pens, pencils, paper, and ink. Originally launched 9 February 2012 on 70 Decibels. |
| B-Sides | Relay FM Hosts | 25 August 2014 | Behind-the-scenes content and audio from before or after episodes. |
| Clockwise |
|
17 September 2014 | A technology discussion show. Each episode is thirty minutes with four hosts each bringing their own topic to the table. Originally launched 7 June 2013 on IDG. |
| Upgrade | 17 September 2014 | Discussion of companies' influence on technology and how creative work is done with technology. | |
| BONANZA |
|
4 November 2014 | A comedy podcast. The podcast was temporarily called BONANZA: The Wedding Year after host Myke Hurley got married. |
| Rocket |
|
19 January 2015 | Discussion of technology, film, comic books, games, and books. |
| Mac Power Users |
|
27 April 2015 | Discussions of workflows and productivity with Apple devices. Originally launched 5 May 2009. |
| Reconcilable Differences |
|
3 June 2015 | Experienced podcasters discuss their similarities and differences. |
| Cortex | 3 June 2015 | Hosts discuss the methods they use to be creatively productive. | |
| Material |
|
2 July 2015 | Discussion of Google and Android news. |
| Liftoff |
|
15 August 2015 | Discussion of space exploration and news. |
| Top Four |
|
30 August 2015 | Hosts list their four favorite items from a category. |
| Thoroughly Considered |
|
21 September 2015 | Discussion of entrepreneurship and product design. |
| Under the Radar |
|
4 November 2015 | Discussion of independent app development. |
| Remaster |
|
8 January 2016 | Discussion of making and playing games. |
| Presentable |
|
24 May 2016 | Discussion of design and building of digital products. |
| Ungeniused |
|
8 July 2016 | Discussion of strange and humorous Wikipedia articles. Originally on the 70 Decibels network; moved to the 5by5 network and was cancelled; has returned. |
| Focused |
|
26 July 2016 | Discussion of how to run an independent business. Formerly called Free Agents. |
| Originality |
|
15 May 2017 | Discussion of creativity. Hosts interview guests. |
| Roboism |
|
15 May 2017 | Discussion of robots, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. |
| Automators |
|
2 July 2018 | Discussion of automation topics. |
| Parallel |
|
3 August 2018 | Discussion of technology with a focus on accessibility. Each episode features two guests – one from the technology world and one from the accessibility world. |
| Make Do |
|
17 October 2018 | Hosts discuss art and creative work. |
| Departures | Relay FM Hosts | 23 August 2019 | Feed containing the audio of live events. |
| Pictorial |
|
19 December 2019 | Hosts discuss interesting aspects of art history and culture |
| Flashback |
|
11 February 2020 | Hosts discuss failed tech products to see what we can learn by studying their demises. |
| Test Drivers |
|
11 February 2020 | Hosts discuss their experiences testing new consumer electronic products. |
| Paid "Members Only" Shows | |||
| Fusion |
|
3 November 2016 | Co-founder Stephen Hackett interviews hosts from other shows about current tech news. |
| Backstage |
|
27 April 2020 | Hosts discuss running the network and give insight on podcast creation. |
In addition to the above "Members Only" shows, each show produces an Annual Special for members, seven shows (Clockwise, Connected, Cortex, Focused, Mac Power Users, Reconcilable Differences, and Upgrade) have paid versions that are ad-free and contain bonus content, and occasionally members will receive trial episodes for possible new shows.[9]
Retired
| Podcast | Hosts | Launch date | Description | Number of episodes | Retired date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMD Space | 1 August 2012 | An interview show. Migrated from the 5by5 network; the precursor to Inquisitive. | 103 | 10 July 2014 | |
| The Prompt |
|
19 June 2013 | Discussion of the technology and culture of Apple. Migrated from the 5by5 network; the precursor to Connected. | 57 | 17 July 2014 |
| Bionic |
|
16 July 2013 | A technology podcast turned comedy. Episodes 1-50 are unavailable, as "There was no point in preserving the earlier ones. Yikes." Migrated from the 5by5 network; the precursor to Bonanza. | 95 originally, 55 available | 8 July 2014 |
| Less Than or Equal |
|
16 June 2014 | Celebration of accomplishments of people from oppressed groups. | 100 | 19 October 2016 |
| Inquisitive | 18 August 2014 | An interview show. | 59 | 20 December 2015 | |
| Virtual |
|
18 August 2014 | Video game discussion; the precursor to Remaster. | 61 | 8 January 2016 |
| Isometric |
|
13 April 2015 | Analysis of video game news from the perspectives of developer, player, and journalist. Originally launched 12 May 2014 on 5by5. | 102 | 18 April 2016 |
| Canvas |
|
8 January 2016 | Hosts discuss workflow and apps on iOS. | 77 | 21 December 2018 |
| Disruption |
|
18 April 2016 | Comedic discussion of technology and culture. | 90 | 8 January 2018 |
| Mixed Feelings |
|
3 November 2016 | Discussion of current events, news, politics and pop culture. | 70 | 19 April 2018 |
| Almanac | 10 November 2016 | Discussion of current events, the arts, technology, and society. | 1 | 10 November 2016 | |
| Download | 27 April 2017 | Discussion of current events and technology, with guests each episode. | 108 | 26 June 2019 | |
| Query |
|
5 July 2017 | Hosts answer tech questions from listeners. | 46 | 19 December 2018 |
| Playing for Fun |
|
15 February 2018 | Hosts discuss video games they enjoy. | 18 | 30 July 2019 |
| Subnet |
|
22 February 2018 | The latest tech news, in a byte-sized update. | 228 | 21 December 2018 |
| Adapt |
|
15 May 2019 | A show all about the iPad. | 41 | 24 December 2020 |
| 20 Macs for 2020 | Jason Snell | 7 August 2020 | Jason Snell and others count down Jason's list of the 20 most notable Macs of all time. | 21 | 31 December 2020 |
References
- "A year of Relay". Relay FM Blog.
- Dillet, Romain. "How Relay FM Proves That Podcasts Aren't An Overnight Success". TechCrunch. Verizon Communications Inc. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
- "9 Tech Podcasts So Addictive, Your Friends Should Start Planning The Intervention". Forbes. 2015-08-25. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
- Dillet, Romain (2015-10-09). "Relay FM Launches iOS App To Discover New Podcast Shows". TechCrunch. Verizon Communications Inc. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- "Relay FM for iOS is here". Relay FM Blog. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
- Charlier, Thomas. "Relay FM Plans Podcast Fundraiser for St. Jude". www.stjude.org. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
- "Events for St. Jude". Events for St. Jude. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20190606020000/https://512pixels.net/2018/11/joining-mpu/
- FM, Relay. "Membership". Relay FM. Retrieved 2020-10-27.