Dean Blundell has announced he plans to wind down his podcast network, Crier Media, in the New Year.
The former 102.1 the Edge (CFNY-FM) and Sportsnet 590 The Fan (CJCL-AM) morning host, had more than 60 podcast collaborators under his initial digital venture DeanBlundell.com, before rebranding in early 2023 as Crier Media.
Blundell told Broadcast Dialogue that after seven years in the digital space, he’s “shelving the publishing aspect of Crier for the time being and reassessing the digital media ‘landscape.’”
“It’s become increasingly hard to justify the effort that goes into the existing model of digital monetization in North America,” said Blundell. “Canada especially, with the effect of [Bill] C-11 and C-18 [the Online News Act]. We’re pausing to reassess.”
The veteran host said podcasting and content creation “to feed an algorithm” doesn’t excite him at the moment, leading him to focus more on the consulting and brand building side of his business.
“On a personal level, I’ve been in this space for a long time and the purpose behind wanting to do a podcast or content has changed,” said Blundell. “I have no interest in doing content that doesn’t make the world a bit of a better place. I know, weird coming from a former shock jock. Taking the next couple of months to figure out if I have the bandwidth, partners and runway to do that is healthy.”
In addition to The Dean Blundell Show, podcasts under the Crier Media umbrella include soccer pod, Footy Prime; Dropping In, hosted by winter Olympian Mercedes Nicoll; and Toronto Blue Jays deep dive, The Walkoff.
