This week, YouTube announced the introduction of a new ad format for its videos. Bumper ads are a six-second format intended to accompany mobile viewing. These are meant to be a more “snackable” approach to advertising on the platform and they cannot be skipped. Continue Reading
Apple Music is continuing on a steady climb of acquiring new listeners. After reporting that it had 10 million subscribers in January, the company’s second quarter financial results included news that the new streaming service has exceeded 13 million subscribers. Continue Reading
Nielsen released its comparable metrics report for Q4 2015. Radio’s weekly reach held steady at 93% for all adults over age 18. At the same time, there are underlying metrics that point to big shifts related to smartphone use and the habits of younger listeners. Continue Reading
Ezra Kucharz, President of CBS Local Digital Media, is leaving his CBS position, and will take on a consulting role as Special Advisor to the CEO of CBS. Kucharz made an informal announcement of his move in a LinkedIn note, and also circulated a memo to his team. Continue Reading
The smartphone is one of the most influential consumer electronics categories of the last 20 years. It certainly influences how Americans listen to radio and internet-delivered audio. At RAIN Summit West, Edison Research President Larry Rosin brought new metrics about smartphone listening from Edison’s ongoing Share of Ear and Infinite Dial consumer surveys. A shift is underway, too dramatic to disregard. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Sonos gets Prime Music in EU; Spotify denies hack, despite weirdness. Continue Reading
Pandora has partnered with the This American Life podcast. The audio program, produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and hosted by nerd hero Ira Glass, now has its own channel on Pandora where listeners can tune in to hear compelling or unusual stories about whatever that week’s theme is. New episodes will air on Mondays. Continue Reading
Rhapsody International’s brand new CEO Mike Davis has been on the job for less than a week, and grabbed some public attention with a blog post announcing positive numbers for the streaming service. Continue Reading
Apple Music and Drake have been very cozy of late. Now, Apple Music is a sponsor for Drake’s upcoming Summer Sixteen tour with fellow rapper Future. Continue Reading
Triton Digital and Dentsu, the world’s largest advertising agency, announced today the extension of Triton’s a2x programmatic audio advertising platform to Japan via Dentsu’s Cyber Communications Inc. (CCI) division. CCI will manage Japanese streaming audio inventory in that market in a new Dentsu division called “Premium Audio Series.” Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include a new member of the C-suite for 7digital and a promotion for Universal Music Group. Continue Reading
Two more musicians are joining the calls for a change to YouTube’s payment systems. The New York Post reported that Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry and Mötley Crüe cofounder Nikki Sixx are getting involved in pushes to change safe harbor rules. Continue Reading