In March we covered the legal outcome of Michael Smith’s fraudulent streaming escapades. He was accused of fraudulently streaming AI-created songs and dishonestly collecting royalties. Now we learn of his sentence. Continue Reading
It’s one thing when audio professionals promote the benefits of audio marketing. It’s another when that principle is identified, quantified, and promoted by a researcher and marketing expert unaffiliated with any particular media category. Mark Ritson, a globally recognized marketing professor and brand consultant, is presenting the results of a marketing study in a presentation called The Secret to Profit and Trust: Audio. Click for details and download link. Continue Reading
We learn that Radio’s station count in 2026 dipped for a third straight quarter. But there is nuance. Continue Reading
In this week’s column, James offers five short commentaries, from his appearance at the Audio Festival to the state of Canadian radio. From the Playdate gaming console to Apple Music’s new recording space in London. And more. Continue Reading
— AI expertise in high places (UMG)
— Loving AI … to a point (Kelly Clarkson)
— Appointment (Vickie Nauman)
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In this monthly feature, we look back one decade and revisit selected headlines. Today: highlights from October 2016. Continue Reading
Sounds Profitable has issued the first release the 2026 edition of its The Podcast Landscape, its annual study of how Americans consume podcasts. It is labeled Part One: Core Podcast Metrics. The underlying survey canvassed 5,473 U.S. adults (18+) in August. Click for details and link to the source. Continue Reading
Data analytics and marketing company Circana is announcing a webinar about AI’s multiple influences in the entire cycle of consumer shopping and brand strategies. Titled “AI Measured: The Shift and Strategies that Win,” the presentation promises five key learnings. Continue Reading
The Signal Awards — the annual awards program which celebrates and honors excellence in podcasting and digital audio, has released the field of finalists. Continue Reading
AI is under legal attack again, and this time the intellectual property at the center of the case is not music, but lyrics. Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music are teaming against AI company Anthropic and — notably — its CEO and co-founder Benjamin Mann. Continue Reading
Quick-serve restaurant Wendy’s has created a streaming playlist of songs for listening in the car while, um, dining out. It’s a six-track EMO collection. Wendy’s collaborated with producer Rise Records and producer Matt Squire. The lyrics are fabulously faux-serious. Click for info and link. Continue Reading
Revenue from Latin music recordings reached $542.2 million in the first half of 2026, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The category accounted for 9.1% of total U.S. revenue. Streaming was the most muscular influence by far. Click for details. Continue Reading