Another week, another potentially big album release with a streaming distribution strategy. In the wake of Adele’s music-market takeover last week, Coldplay released the A Head Full of Dreams project today. Spotify? No. Pandora? Not that we can find. Continue Reading
Pandora issued a follow-up press release today, after announcing yesterday that the company is issuing a $300-million debt offering to institutional investors. Pandora stock closed down 11.5% yesterday, and has inched downward another 2% this morning, nearing the year-to-date low of $11.51 per share. Continue Reading
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Adele’s history-making album; Pandora raises $300-million for ambitious 2016; Songza nears the end; Acast raids WNYC in U.S. launch. Continue Reading
Pandora has announced a private placement of $300-million worth of convertible notes — essentially, the company is raising cash. Wall Street is sending P stock tumbling down a steep hill. Pandora is gearing up for a monumental redefinition of its business in 2016. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves find two former Viacom execs taking up new posts at ASCAP and at Warner/Chappell. Continue Reading
It has been a very busy year for Alphabet (née Google). Not only has the company undergone a major reorganization and rebranding, but its various entertainment properties have been putting down roots, entrenching themselves for the long journey to becoming the top dogs. The latest development comes from YouTube, which The Wall Street Journal (paywall) reports is working on building up its video offerings to include licensed movies and TV shows. Continue Reading
Google acquired online radio platform Songza nearly a year and a half ago, July 1 2014, and today the announcement comes that the Songza brand, and stand-alone app, will be discontinued at the end of the year. Songza features and playlists will continue within Google Play, where they have resided since last October. Continue Reading
Chinese streaming platform Baidu Music announced a deal with record label Taihe Entertainment Group. This partnership will see Taihe’s intellectual property and A&R capabilities, covering more than 700,000 recordings, joining with Baidu’s streaming and distribution resources Continue Reading
Rusty Humphries, new programming head of USA Radio Network, is putting radio — a real-time medium — into the “trending now” mix as a bet that traditional over-the-air broadcast can be as fast and whip-smart as the speedy online platforms. Continue Reading
It’s the season to look back and review the year. Music services normally take a data-centric approach, listing off the top artists, bands, streams, customized stations, and playlists. Deezer too a road less traveled, commissioning comic illustrator Brian Williamson to memorialize 10 musical moments of the year. Continue Reading
DGital Media announced the addition of two advertising executives to its team. Suzanne Kaufman and Christine Fontana have joined the audio engagement company as senior vice presidents and account managers. Continue Reading
After cycling through two top execs (Peter Tonstad and Andy Chen) in less than one year, Tidal has named its newest CEO. Jeff Toig has taken the helm of the oft-beleaguered streaming service. Understandably, there’s some curiosity as to why an experienced music pro would join up what many have predicted to be a sinking ship. Continue Reading