RAIN Time Travel: October 2016 headlines
In this monthly feature, we look back one decade and revisit selected headlines. Today: highlights from October 2016. Continue Reading
Podcast Landscape 2026 – Part One: Core Podcast Metrics (September 2026)
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
AI influences measured
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
Signal Awards: 2026 finalists announced & listener’s choice voting starts
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
Sony and Warner team in billion-dollar IP lawsuit against AI founders
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
Wendy’s markets to “elder EMO” listeners with commissioned playlist
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
Streaming and vinyl push U.S. Latin recorded music to new revenue high
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
Mobile device takes over radio tuning in the car for young listeners
The trend has been grinding along for 11 years, and in 2026 mobile devices have overtaken built-in AM/FM radio as the primary device choice for in-car listening … for a certain segment of the U.S. population. Continue Reading
End of podcasting’s “format war?” Acast research
Acast has released the 2026 edition of its Podcast Pulse report. The headline finding: “The format argument is over. Audiences ended it by not caring.” Insouciant, yes, And backed by data. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: September 24
— Should? What? When? How? (The Podglomerate)
— ASCAP adds Jim Selby
— The case for small (Vickie Nauman)
Continue Reading
Audacy study: Trust, attention, and value
Multi platform radio and audio company Audacy has released a study which canvassed podcast listeners about how they listen, and how they value host endorsements. “Intentional listening” is a key part of this examination, and it leads to dollars spent in three ways. Continue Reading
Spotify adds controls to Taste Profile
Streaming music giant Spotify naturally profiles the tastes of its users, using its understanding of a user’s taste to create personalized playlists. Now Spotify is asking for help. Continue Reading