Steve Goldstein: Finding your voice
by Steve Goldstein
One week after CES, Steve attended a conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The subject? Amazon Echo and how people will respond to and use the technology. Continue Reading
Month: January 2019
CD Baby signs historic deal as distributor for Mexican performance rights organization
CD Baby has announced a partnership with SACM, the only performance rights organization in Mexico. It is a milestone deal and the first such agreement SACM has joined with an external entity. Continue Reading
European Copyright Directive controversy deepens as lawmakers and rightsholders dig in
The European Copyright Directive passed one big hurdle in the fall, but the fate of the contentious legislative overhaul is now in question. Two components of the legal package have raised debate: Article 11, which lets publishers charge a fee when online platforms like Google or Facebook show snippets of their articles, and Article 13, which makes platforms such as YouTube liable for user-generated content that infringes copyright. Continue Reading
UK-based streaming service Akazoo acquired by Lew Dickey’s Modern Media Acquisition Corp.
Subscription-based online music service Akazoo will be acquired by Modern Media Acquisition Corp. (MMAC), the company founded by ex-CEO of media group Cumulus, Lew Dickey. Complex stock maneuvering will result in new ticker symbol, but straight line for existing investors. Continue Reading
Adam Carolla to stay at PodcastOne for five more years
Adam Carolla has extended his exclusive deal with PodcastOne. The popular podcaster has signed an agreement covering join production, distribution, marketing, and sales for his collection of podcasts through 2023. Continue Reading
SoundCloud co-founder steps back to an advisory role
One of SoundCloud’s co-founders is leaving the audio company’s day-to-day operations. Eric Wahlforss announced that he is exiting his role as chief product officer in favor of an advisory role beginning March 1. Continue Reading
Dubset releases solution for remixes and DJ sets to distribute direct to music services
DJ tech solutions provider Dubset has released a piece of software which makes it easy and quick for DJs and remixers to puts their sets into music services. It’s an API which sends the mixes, comprising many tracks mixed into a seamless whole, through an automated ID and licensing process. Continue Reading
RealNetworks becomes majority owner of Rhapsody with doubled stake
Napster’s parent company, RealNetworks, has doubled its existing stake in the streaming service. RealNetworks acquired the debt and equity interests in Rhapsody International, an action that gives it about 84% of the outstanding stock in Napster. Continue Reading
Spotify can now mute artists, and its future likely features cars and India
Spotify is still coming hot and fast with the updates and future plans. The newest feature is an option to mute individual artists, and the latest churn of the gossip mill points to developments around in-vehicle hardware and an Indian launch down the road. Continue Reading
Jim Ballas steps up to CTO at PodcastOne
Jim Ballas has been named CTO and VP of Operations at PodcastOne, where he has worked since the podcast company’s founding. Today’s announcement marks his fifth titled role in the company. Continue Reading
Children’s audio platform Pinna splits from Panoply as a standalone
Pinna, an audio subscription platform for children, is spinning out from its parent company as a standalone company. The service, which offers podcasts, audiobooks, and music, was initially launched in October 2017 by Panoply Media. Continue Reading
Amazon Alexa gets a newscaster voice; RAIN tests it (AUDIO)
The latest development from Amazon Alexa is a more nuanced change in its language skills. The assistant now has the option to adopt the speech cadences and delivery of a professional newscaster. We tested it — click for the audio. Continue Reading