Month: September 2014

Forbes predicts 120 million active users for Pandora within six years; could it happen?

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Forbes published an article with predictions about Pandora’s audience base, estimating that its number of active users would grow from 76.2 million in 2013 to almost 120 million during the next five or six years. That’s a bold prediction, especially considering that Pandora actually posted a small dip in monthly active users in its second-quarter conference call. The expectation is based on projections for smartphone growth and connected cars, as well as a presumption that Pandora will expand internationally. Continue Reading →

Rdio 3.0 launches, emphasizing ad-supported online radio

Posted on by Brad Hill

In a culmination of recent business developments, music service Rdio updated its apps and refocused its experience to emphasize free, ad-supported listening as a complement to its on-demand subscription service. The revised product line fulfills Rdio’s promise to open an ad-supported, free-listening line of business, as expressed by parent-company Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey in an April earnings call. We tested the iPod/iPhone app. Continue Reading →

Universal makes good on plans to put its catalog online

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Universal Music Publishing Group has followed through on the plans it made earlier this summer to list its catalog online. For starters, the online Song List only includes the portions of its catalog written by members of the ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC performing rights organizations. The company plans to expand the list over time. Continue Reading →

Triton Digital launches Triton Advertising Platform, combining inventory management with audience data

Posted on by Brad Hill

Triton Digital today announced a new and proprietory ad management program whose key features are inventory manasgement matched to audience data. Called the Triton Advertising Platform (Tap), the product monetizes streams in two flavors: traditional linear streams of broadcasters (“Tap Live”) and pureplay audio publishers (Tap OnDemand). Better audience targeting is a clear emphasis. Continue Reading →

BRS Media extends dot-FM registration with Asian registrar partnerships

Posted on by Brad Hill

BRS Media, the administrator of dot-FM domains (e.g. www.RadioStation.fm), announced new partnerships with three Asian domain registrars. The licensing of administration rights enables the partners to register new dot-FM domain ownerships, and extends the BRS Media footprint to regions where demand for the dot-FM handle is reportedly on the rise. Continue Reading →

This Is My Jam leverages YouTube, SoundCloud, and Spotify for sleek sharing and curation

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Most online music platforms have such a large volume of songs and listeners that they unintentionally make sharing difficult. With the days of the mixtape long gone, there are few ways for people to share that song stuck on loop in their head with their friends. Enter This is My Jam, a polished resharing and curating service. Continue Reading →

CD Baby launches free tier, positions for competition with Bandcamp

Posted on by Anna Washenko

With album sales on the fritz, you’d think that CD Baby would be in dire straights. Yet the indie-friendly music retailer is actually getting aggressive with its business with the launch of a new service tier called CD Baby Free. This service eliminates the usual costs for musicians to sign up with the company and set up their songs. In exchange, CD Baby takes a 15 percent cut of digital sales rather than its usual 9 percent rate. Continue Reading →

1

Pono Music has already hit its Crowdfunder goal [Update: Campaign to continue for another month]

Posted on by Anna Washenko

We reported last week that Pono Music had launched a new equity crowdfunding project to raise additional funds for its hi-fi digital music player and store. Investors have pledged more than $5.24 million to the company thus far, and there are still two weeks to go. [Update: The campaign will now stretch until Sept. 30; how much money does Pono need?] Continue Reading →

4

YouTube rolls out musician-friendly monetization option with digital tip jars

Posted on by Anna Washenko

For anyone falling under the ‘content creator’ umbrella at YouTube, the sole path to making money has been to allow ads on your channel and hope for a massive viewership. That could change with a new feature that allows channels to operate a digital tip jar. The new crowd funding feature has reportedly rolled out in a handful of markets — Australia, Japan, Mexico, and the U.S. Continue Reading →