Signal Hill Audio Magazine Expands With Third Issue

Signal Hill, an audio magazine that distinguishes itself by structuring its content like a print magazine, has launched its third issue this month. The publication, which began as an experiment, has expanded its reach by also being broadcast on the radio. This development marks a significant expansion in the documentary audio space, which has seen considerable contraction.

Co-founders and editors-in-chief Jackson Roach and Liza Yeager explained that each story within Signal Hill requires extensive labor, with production times exceeding eight months. This intensive process means that bonus episodes in the same vein as the main content are not feasible. However, the team is considering offering lower-lift audio bonuses for subscribers, alongside a paywalled newsletter where the editors share their writing.

The magazine's unique format presents episodes as "issues," with individual segments varying in length from under two minutes to over an hour. These segments are categorized by type, such as "dispatch," "feature," and "profile." This approach creates a listening experience akin to browsing a laid-out print magazine, complete with editorial notes and letters to the editor.

Signal Hill's content spans a diverse range of topics. Past features have included a "Talk of the Town"-style piece on children in Madrid, New Mexico, engaging in conversations across the town; a feature on lutes by writer Ruby Tandoh; and an essay contrasting the Native American occupation of Alcatraz with the Apollo 11 moon landing. The publication aims for each story to be distinct, mirroring the variety found in traditional print magazines.