Edison Research to release “Infinite Dial 2026”
Edison Research has set and announced the date of its 2026 edition of The Infinite Dial, the authoritative annual study of digital media consumer behavior. Continue Reading
Music streamer Quboz implements AI detection
French music streaming and download service Qobuz has added an AI detection system to its service, intending to keep non-human music creations out of its platform. The system accomplishes two goals. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia partners with Middle East State of Qatar for new podcast effort
iHeartMedia and the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar have signed a new multi-year partnership. The intent is to grow a thriving podcasting industry in the Middle East and North Africa.
The partnership brings a new podcasting infrastructure to Qatar and hopes to spark a wave of creative storytelling across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Both parties aspire to make the area into a global podcasting hub. Click for details. Continue Reading
Podcast advertising projected to $1B/year by 2029 (EMARKETER)
A newly released advertiser survey conducted by EMARKETER, in partnership with Amazon Ads, is titled A Sound Move: Marketers say digital audio is ready for bigger investment. The field work queried 100 U.S. marketers about the value of investing in digital audio advertising. Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading
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
Continue Reading