Tencent Holdings has been floated as a potential, even likely buyer for a stake in Universal Music Group. But the latest rumors indicate that while the Chinese company is still interested, it may want to make the investment with partners. Continue Reading
Podtrac published its podcast ranker for October. While many of the top-performing shows are familiar ones for the month, there is a new addition to the analytics company’s usual format. Continue Reading
Podcast hosting and services company Blubrry announced that it is now offering its clients tools in post-production. The new tools are aimed at easing and streamlining scheduling and pod drops for weekly productions, and initial launch assistance. Continue Reading
Bytedance, the Chinese company that owns short-form video platform TikTok, may be moving forward with launching its own streaming music service. Financial Times reported that Bytedance is working on an app that would offer the typical on-demand audio experience. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Ransomware attack on Entercom. Asia radio stats. Podcasts on radio. Continue Reading
SoundCloud rolled out a new feature this week aimed at helping creators to grow their audiences. Promote on SoundCloud is a self-service tool that lets users promote their original tracks to the top of listeners’ feeds and mobile home pages. Continue Reading
Deezer has entered an agreement with the airline Emirates. Under the terms of their deal, Deezer will create dedicated playlists for Emirates’ in-flight entertainment system, called ice. The streaming service will provide more than 20 playlists for travelers. Continue Reading
Spotify has been keeping a break-neck pace of announcements, partnerships, and new features. This week, the streaming service shared two updates: one in augmented reality and one in lyrics. Continue Reading
Podcasting company Liberated Syndication posted its third-quarter financials. The business reported revenue up 9% on-year, reaching nearly $6.22 billion. Libsyn was responsible for about $3.64 million of the total, with its hosting revenue helping deliver growth although ad revenue dipped. Continue Reading
The implementation of the Music Modernization Act took another important step forward today. The Mechanical Licensing Collective has secured a deal with the Digital Licensing Coordinator, which represents digital music services that will fund the launch and operation of the collective. Continue Reading
ESPN Podcasts announced audience statistics for its shows in October. For the third consecutive month, the company’s podcasts reached a new record audience. ESPN Podcasts had a unique verified audience of 8.1 million in the month. Continue Reading
Three Uncanny Four Productions, a podcasting joint venture from Sony Music Entertainment, Adam Davidson, and Laura Mayer, is now entering a partnership of its own. The company has teamed with another notable figure in podcasting, Adam McKay, and is launching an excluive joint venture with McKay’s production company Hyperobject Industries for the creation of original shows. Continue Reading