Spotify secured a tighter tie with Facebook Messenger last year for sharing music with friends. Now, the music features have been expanded to add group playlists. With this update, multiple people can develop a single shared playlist through the social network. Continue Reading
Media company HowStuffWorks announced that Jack O’Brien is joining its podcast team. O’Brien will be launching the company’s operations on the west coast, including a new comedy division. He brings more than a decade of experience as founder and editor-in-chief at Cracked to HowStuffWorks. Continue Reading
Fox News show The Five has launched a new podcast through a partnership with TargetSpot. The involvement of digital audio ad company TargetSpot means that The Five audio show will be free to listeners and supported by advertisements. All of Fox News’ other program podcasts are available only by paid access. Continue Reading
USA Today Network announced the addition of investigative journalist Robin Amer to its podcasting lineup. Amer will be hosting a new show called The City, which was the winner of the WNYC 2015 Podcast Accelerator competition. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: A deep dive into composing podcast music. A year of Apple Music for $99. Apple hires Breaking Bad duo. Continue Reading
Westwood One announced that it is launching a new audio data management platform backed by tools from Nielsen. Westwood One is using the Nielsen Marketing Cloud and Nielsen’s own DMP to offer advertisers resources to make better buying decisions across the company’s over-the-air radio and streaming audio channels. Continue Reading
Google is strengthening the ties between its music platform and the Samsung smartphone family. When the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus launched, Google Play Music was announced as their default music player. Now, those mobile devices are getting an exclusive feature within that music service called New Release Radio. Continue Reading
Nobex Partners announced a collaboration with 113FM Radio, creating a custom app for the global online radio company. The app is designed to provide listeners with a comprehensive station experience. Continue Reading
Spotify has been testing out sponsorship models in its music product for some time. The latest feature under consideration is Sponsored Songs. Although the name is similar to the outside branding features of sponsored playlists, this seems focused within the music industry. Continue Reading
7digital has completed its acquisition of music services provider 24-7 from MediaMarktSaturn. The deal for the rival business was first announced in March, and its completion has revealed more details about the arrangement. In return for the 24-7 acquisition, MediaMarktSaturn will become the biggest individual shareholder in 7digital as well as a customer. Continue Reading
Audio publishing platform Omny Studio announced an option for video pre-roll ads in web-based listening. The new feature is the result of a collaboration with Macquarie Media. It offers a new revenue stream option for podcasters, who are usually limited to audio ad inventory on their shows. Continue Reading
Jay-Z is releasing a new album at the end of the month, but it will be exclusive to his Tidal streaming platform. This new exclusive title, 4:44, marks the first such development for Tidal after its partnership with Sprint. In January, Sprint purchased a 33% stake in the streaming company. With this first shared exclusive, new customers of the telecom’s can have a six-month free trial of Tidal HiFi and listen to the new album for free. Continue Reading