The Download on Podcasts is a weekly feature sponsored by PodcastOne.
If Serial was the first mile marker of podcasting’s modern era, President Obama’s appearance this week on WTF with Marc Maron is the second, and possibly more important signifier.
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Beatport has introduced an embeddable music player that can can be added to websites and social channels. The company also recognized the recent debates about artist payments by putting its policy front and center. That means every stream of a song, no matter where it happens, will yield some payment to rights holders. Continue Reading
by Brad Hill
Yesterday Google announced it was introducing a free-listening, Internet radio-style component to its Google Play service. The announceement was widely viewed as counter-Apple positioning. But Apple has freemium too. Both companies, the owners of mobile computing, are playing the same game with the same pieces. Continue Reading
Nielsen has released its Total Audience Report for the first quarter of 2015. The report showed impressive reach for radio, but a dwindling in how much time that large audience tunes in. Meanwhile, digital services and mobile platforms are seeing quick growth in usage. Terrestrial radio still has the greatest reach, with 93% of the adult population listening each week. However, time spent with radio has been slowly declining as most digital and online hardware has seen spikes in use. Plus the breakdown of audience ages shows low interest in radio among teens and young adults. Continue Reading
Google has unveiled a new free version of its Google Play Music streaming service. This ad-supported tier will offer a more limited lean-back experience compared with the paid subscription to its platform. The free level offers curated playlists designed to pair with specific genres, moods, or activities. It is rolling out first on Android and web, with an iOS update due soon. Continue Reading
Tidal has had another changing of the guard, with interim CEO Peter Tonstad leaving the top position. Tonstad was CEO of Aspiro, which was Tidal’s parent company prior to the buyout by Jay-Z. Tonstad stepped in to replace Tidal’s previous CEO Andy Chen, who stayed only two weeks with the company following the change of ownership. Tidal is also in the news today as a tangent to the latest activities of the current queen of the music scene, Taylor Swift. Continue Reading
by Brad Hill
The audio industry lacks a total audience ratings solution which unifies the measurement of listening across consumer platforms like FM, simulcasting, pureplay streaming, and podcasting. Advertisers want to understand and reach their target audiences, regardless of platform. We surveyed industry leaders for their sentiments and predictions. Continue Reading
Sirius XM was on a big losing streak in its series of lawsuits filed by Flo & Eddie, the company representing members of The Turtles. Flo & Eddie has sued Sirius XM in three states for its public performance of the band’s songs recorded prior to 1972 when federal copyright law took effect. While the suits in New York and California have been favoring the case made by Flo & Eddie, Sirius XM just got a win in Florida. Continue Reading
Jelli announced this morning the closure of a $21-million funding round. investors includ Relay Ventures, Intel Capital, First Round Capital, iHeartMedia, and Universal Music Group. Jelli has raised $37.6-million in venture funding starting with a $2-million seed round in January, 2010. Continue Reading
Quick Hits scans for brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. Today: Taylor Swift vs. Apple. Continue Reading
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has released a whitepaper called Advertising Audiences: The New “Liquid Consumer” Paradigm. It’s a free download, and builds on the idea that digital media audiences are increasingly transient, needing new types of measurement. Continue Reading
Radio veteran Art Bell is counting down the days until his new Internet-only show launches. In an interesting reversal of podcasts derived from broadcast programming, Bell is offering syndication rights to broadcast stations, but with restrictions. Continue Reading