Quick Hits: Vox on music’s future; going digital Down Under
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Vox on how radio plays into music’s future; Australia’s challenges with a digital radio rollout. Continue Reading
Month: May 2015
XAPPmedia updates streaming ad load report: more advertisers, lower load
XAPPmedia released a new edition of its ongoing study of streaming audio advertising, the Internet Radio Ad Load Report. In addition to updating data released in the first report, this edition (PDF here), which covers Q1 2015, is enhanced with… Continue Reading
Memo to podcast apps: Don’t hide the stream!
Ten years ago, when podcasting was relatively new, it was mainly downloaded content. Things have changed, thanks to high-speed mobile bandwidth, and consumer acceptance of streaming access as opposed to stored ownership. Why have some podcast apps failed to get with the times? A case study in frustration. Continue Reading
CD Baby launches Pro service in UK
CD Baby announced the launch of its Pro tier in the UK. The Pro service includes publishing administration for collecting royalties. The company already has more than 35,000 artists using its distribution service in the UK. Continue Reading
TuneCore inks YouTube-centric deal with DanceOn
TuneCore announced a partnership with digital entertainment network DanceOn. Under this deal, TuneCore will offer its independent artists more options for creating content and reaching audiences on YouTube. DanceOn is a dance-centric entertainment network that has generated more than 3 billion views and 20 million subscribers on Google’s video service. Continue Reading
Beatport posts decreased Q1 download revenue
The general trend in the music industry has been a steady decline in sales of downloads, and that appears to be impacting even niche stores. EDM and DJ specialty platform Beatport’s financial information was released in the quarterly filings for parent company SFX Entertainment. In the first quarter this year, the company’s revenue from digital downloads totaled $8.9 million, compared with $11.6 million for the same metric in the year-ago period. Continue Reading
SoundCloud lays groundwork for more international business with new hire and language
SoundCloud made two big business announcements today. First is a new hire: Sonia Flynn is assuming the role of vice president for international at the audio platform. The second item improves SoundCloud’s global presence with the addition of Brazilian Portuguese as a second language option. Continue Reading
Kurt Hanson: Moroccan Argan Oil and your radio station
by Kurt Hanson
Sore feet. Soothing balm. An unusual ingredient. Now connect this to radio programming. Neither could we. So, founding editor Kurt Hanson did. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: How streaming engages on social; a final Grooveshark infographic; latest iOS beta is out
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Report on music services and social engagement; infographic of Grooveshark legal fees; latest iOS 8.4 beta shows more music updates. Continue Reading
State of the industry report: streaming is growing fast
Music data specialist Next Big Sound has released a new report with just as much substance as style. The beautifully designed presentation reviewed some of the major music business trends of 2014. The data points show a snapshot of how the online music industry has continued to grow and create additional business opportunities for artists, labels, and their partners. Continue Reading
ASCAP hires new general counsel
ASCAP has hired Clara Kim as its executive vice president and general counsel. That position was previously held by the performing rights organization’s new CEO, Elizabeth Matthews, prior to her promotion. In her new capacity, Kim will oversee all of ASCAP’s legal and business affairs, including managing its legislative team and its internal and external legal services. Continue Reading
Warner Music Group’s streaming revenue surpasses downloads
Warner Music Group has attracted extra attention this quarterly earnings season with the announcement that its revenue from streaming music has surpassed revenue from downloads. CEO Stephen Cooper said that second-quarter revenue from streaming services increased 33%, while overall digital revenue rose only 7%. All other revenue streams aside from digital – including physical sales – declined for the label. Continue Reading