RAB semi-annual report sees growth in digital and off-air advertising

The Radio Advertising Bureau has released its semi-annual revenue report. The results for the first half of 2015 revealed continued declines in spot advertising, while digital and off-air sectors maintained growth. Radio’s first-half ad revenue hit $8.2 billion, down just 1% from the year-ago period. Continue Reading

Tidal caught in another PR snafu, this one featuring Apple Music and Drake

Tidal has accused Apple of blocking its stream of rapper Drake’s performance at a charity concert, claiming it was threatened with a $20 million lawsuit by the tech company on the grounds that Drake currently has an exclusive deal with Apple Music. Tidal called Apple “Big Brother” in a tweet and left the same message on the blank video stream during Drake’s set. Drake’s camp said the stream’s black-out was not due to Apple. Continue Reading

Shazam 2014 results show growth in audience and net losses

Shazam has reportedly filed financial results for its entire 2014 financial year. While the sound identification app did post solid numbers in terms of audience base, it still had losses overall in the period. Revenue at Shazam in 2014 totaled about £36 million, but the net loss was £14.8 million. The results did reveal nearly 120 million monthly active users for the service, though. Continue Reading

Internet Radio Rewind #57: Connected car research; TuneIn goes Premium; Neil Young shouts out; more

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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: PodcastOne expands the sales effort; do consumers like connected cars? TuneIn starts monthly subscriptions; Neil Young shouts out. Continue Reading

Switzerland audience listens equally to DAB+ and Internet radio

The Swiss Radio Day included a presentation of research into digital listening within Switzerland’s radio audience. The Digital Migration working group’s recent research found that 45% of all radio listening in the nation happens on digital channels. DAB+ is responsible for about half of that figure. At this stage, DAB+ and the Internet are equally popular among listeners. Continue Reading

Former Beats Music CEO makes surprise departure from Apple

Ian Rogers has resigned from Apple. Rogers was the CEO of Beats Music prior to its acquisition by the tech company, and was one of the key leaders in creating the Beats 1 radio component of Apple Music. The Financial Times first reported the departure, noting that Rogers will be heading to Europe for a position in an unrelated industry. Continue Reading

Vine adds new in-app musical features to looping videos

Social media platform Vine announced an expansion of its audio capabilities. The service, which lets users film six-second looping videos, will now have options for seamlessly adding music to content directly within the app with the optional Snap to Beat feature. You can add music from your phone to videos directly through Vine, or you can browse the newly added Featured Tracks section. Continue Reading

BASCA backs PRS for Music in SoundCloud suit

Yesterday, we reported on PRS for Music’s lawsuit against SoundCloud. Today, the plaintiff got a statement of support from their fellow Brits at BASCA. “We acknowledge that streaming is a fantastic means of listening to and enjoying music but SoundCloud’s intransigence in refusing to be licensed through PRS For Music means their model financially damages our members,” CEO Vick Bain said. Continue Reading