Most streaming services have turned to telecoms as partners on the path to expanding their listener base. Tidal just took the plunge, inking a deal with Poland-based mobile network operator Play. Continue Reading
BMW’s chairman announced that the car company will integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into its future models. Speaking at the quarterly earnings report, Harald Krüger said that BMW wanted to balance offering its customers connectivity options while still protecting their privacy. Continue Reading
The UK’s culture minister spoke at Radio’s Digital Countdown about the uptake of DAB receivers in cars. Ed Vaizey reported that 74.1% of new cars now come with DAB receivers as standard. Continue Reading
There have been some rumblings about the streaming industry potentially breaking itself into niche, genre-based offerings. Today, another electronic-centered company has entered the field. Ministry of Sound, a house and dance specialist based in the UK, launched a free streaming app with round-the-clock lean-back programming. Continue Reading
BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra announced plans for a new show that takes advantage of the broadcaster’s digital tools. The new Playlist show will air on Radio 1 and will be available for download on the iPlayer Radio app. Continue Reading
Between the livestreams of concerts and hosting exclusive music videos, Tidal has always had a strong visual component and that segment looks to grow. Variety reported that Tidal has ordered two new original series. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include Spotify poaching country music talent from Sirius XM and a new exec for licensing specialist CueSongs. Continue Reading
Rhapsody-owned Napster launched in Canada today. The ad-free premium music service is offering subscriptions costing C$9.99 a month, but it has a launch offer of three months for just C$1. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has launched a new standalone mobile app specifically for audio creators. SoundCloud Pulse helps creators manage their accounts and communities. For now, Pulse is only available on Android, but an iOS version and new features are in the works. Continue Reading
Global Interactive Media has gone on a tear of lawsuits on charges that several broadcasting companies have violated its patents. That intellectual property covers an “apparatus and method to generate and access broadcast information.” At this stage, it seems possible that the Belize-based company is looking to make money by pushing litigation over patents of questionable validity. But if the patent claims are legitimate, it could mean one more set of royalty payments for many types of audio companies. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Insights into Spotify In Residence: Merlin CEO pens op-ed against two-tier publishing rates; a new addition to NextRadio’s platform. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves are restructuring of top management at UMG, a promotion at CBS Radio, and two spot radio hires for NPR. Continue Reading