RAIN Notes: February 25
Music generation upgrade – Google
Pod ad spending down under – Magellan AI
Ticket release – iHeartMedia Continue Reading
Podcasts overtake spoken-word radio in key metric (Edison Research)
If the headline seems startling, it’s for good reason. Over a ten-year span podcast listening has gradually overtaken spoken-word AM/FM radio in time spent. This milestone metrics comes from Edison Research and its continuing Share of Ear project. Click for more and the 10-year chart. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: February 24
Yes, tonight – The Ambies
Cultural Resonance – Type C Studios
RAIN Notes: February 23
Audible sync for ebook focus – Audible
Taking advantage of audio – ExchangeWire
Unsurprising accolade – IFPI
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Steve Goldstein: Apple Just Moved the Center of Gravity in Podcasting
“The container is fluid. The brand is constant.” In his latest guest column, Steve Goldstein (Founder, Amplifi Media) recognizes the importance of Apple’s recent addition of native video in its podcast listening app — accelerating a transformation already evident elsewhere, notably YouTube and Spotify. Flowing from that new reality, Steve observes that revenue and complexity evolve together, and that strategic clarity evolve together. Continue Reading
Downtown Music completes merger with Virgin Music
We hear from music publishing administration firm Songtrust that its parent company Downtown Music Holdings has completed its acquisition of, and merger with, Virgin Music Group. The combination was first announced in December, and is reportedly valued at $775 million. Continue Reading
A landscape of listening
Triton Digital has released its 2025 U.S. Podcast Report: A Year In Review. This research summary is meant to supplement Triton’s well-known monthly podcast ranker, creating a “Listening Landscape” which measures podcast reach, listener demographics, download methods, audio/video measurements, genre performance, new-listener behaviors, and quite a bit more. Click for our review, and link to the source download. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: February 19
Audible sync for ebook focus – Audible
Taking advantage of audio – ExchangeWire
Unsurprising accolade – IFPI
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Apple Podcasts adds high-def video
Apple is trumpeting upgrades to its video podcasting tools for creators, and the podcast listening experience for users. The company is calling these new specifications “a transformative update.” Continue Reading
Spotify Q4 report exceeds expectations; stock bounces
In Spotify’s just-released earnings report (Q4 2025) we see good news on the top lines motivating a vigorous bounce in stock price. A long view puts that surge in larger perspective. Click for the charts. Continue Reading
A tale of two lists: Top new and existing podcasts of Q4
The Podcast Metrics division of Edison Research has released an interesting output of its relentless podcast metrics research: Top Ten New Podcasts of 2025. We compare that list with Edison’s Top 50 Podcasts of Q4 list. Spoiler: No podcast is on both lists. Continue Reading
Britney Spears sells catalog
In a ten-year creative drought, Britney Spears has reportedly sold the rights to her music catalog. The buyer is Primary Wave, a leading independent publisher. The news is anonymously sourced, unconfirmed by principals at the time of this post. The… Continue Reading