eMarketer has been tracking the adoption of smart speakers, and while the device segment is growing in popularity, its use as tool for ecommerce has not risen as rapidly. The company’s latest projection is that by the end of 2020, 21.6 million people in the U.S. will have used a smart speaker to make a purchase. Continue Reading
As podcasts continue to grow as a creative operation, we can expect to see more brands looking to hop on the bandwagon. Casted is a software-as-a-service marketing platform that aims to reach that audience. Continue Reading
Digital continues to amass a larger share of radio listening in the UK. The Q4 RAJAR survey results have found that digital metrics are rising as overall radio listening delivers a more uneven performance. Continue Reading
The Chinese government may have given a reprieve to Tencent Music Entertainment. Sources familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that the State Administration of Market Regulation, China’s antitrust authority, has suspended its investigation into the company. Continue Reading
Apple Music has landed a new deal with Genius, the lyrics and music metadata company. With their latest agreement, Apple Music will now co-produce the Genius show Verified. It will also exclusively premiere episodes every weekday, and the episodes will then be shared on the Genius YouTube channel within 24 hours. Continue Reading
Spotify had more than earnings results to share today. The company is continuing its march through podcasting with the acquisition of The Ringer, the sports-centric digital media business founded by Bill Simmons. Continue Reading
Spotify posted several notable increases in its fourth-quarter earnings report. Revenue, subscribers, and podcast interest were all on the rise for the streaming service over the course of 2019. Continue Reading
Alphabet released its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings, with an unusual amount of detail disclosed about YouTube. In the past periods, YouTube details have been bundled in with Google results, but the tech giant’s leadership has opted to provide specifics about the video platform this time. Continue Reading
Sirius XM has released its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2019. The company’s acquisition of Pandora in February 2019 had a notable impact on its earnings, including a boost to overall revenue, although higher costs in acquisition, refinancing, and other areas did bring down annual income. Continue Reading
Sony Music has forged a content development partnership with Somethin’ Else, an indie British podcast production company. The press release lists Sony’s contributions to be content expertise, marketing, and monetization. We don’t know whether Sony has taken an ownership stake in Somethin’ Else. We do know Sony is moving fast in podcasting. Continue Reading
Only the top five, making this an ultra-short list for Forbes. Still, interesting. If you’re guessing Joe Rogan for the top spot, you’re right, but #2 might surprise you. Continue Reading
A weekly column from the preeminent Radio Futurologist. THIS WEEK: Coverage of the European Radio Show, a podcast collection of Brexit radio clips, and much more. Continue Reading