RAIN Notes: February 6
— Continuing Self-Reinvention (Universal Music Group)
— The Enduring Top 3 (Edison Research)
— — Head First (Dane Cardiel)
Month: February 2025
Steve Goldstein: AI Slop is Everywhere – and it’s getting worse
Guest columnist Steve Goldstein concentrates his latest article on “AI slop” — low-quality, generic, or soulless AI-generated content that clutters the digital space. Many AI products and enhancements feel like solutions in search of a problem. Yes, “AI” moves markets, but at what cost? Steve dives deep in his analysis of AI content, consumer reaction to it, and — crucially — five types of damage from sonic slop. A must-read. Continue Reading
A high bar for growth, defying expectations, and more from Spotify to investors
In Spotify’s Q4 earnings call with investors, the word “podcast” was not spoken in the prepared remarks. Only when an investor asked about it in the Q&A portion did the company address its podcast business by name. In reply, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek numbered four ways in which value has been added to Spotify’s advertisers: “AI is one of those ways, video is obviously another one, podcasting is the third, audiobooks is the fourth.” Onekey point: Leaving the door open to charging for ad-supported listening. Click for key points and quotes from Spotify’s Q4 earnings call. Continue Reading
Spotify Q4 earnings and forecast: 1st-time full-year profit
Streaming audio juggernaut Spotify released Q4 earnings. “We ended 2024 with strong Q4 performance, as nearly all of our KPIs exceeded guidance and profitability reached record levels.” thecompany stated. Continued growth is expected for 2025.” Continue Reading
Time spent with Radio News/Talk lifted by streaming
The News/Talk format on U.S. radio received the largest share of time spent listening in the expansive 18+ age group. That finding from a new report released by Nielsen and Edison Research. Click for more. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: February 3
— Closing the (Audio)book, Spotify Prevails in Lawsuit Defense (Spotify)
— Nominations Welcome (Women’s Podcasters Awards)
— Onward and Upward (PQ Media) Continue Reading