RAIN Time Travel: October 2015 headlines
In the first of a new monthly feature, we look back one decade to October 2015, and revisit selected headlines. Click any item to visit the article. Happy decade surfing. Continue Reading
Author: Brad Hill
RAIN Notes: October 2, 2025
TDirect Injection Podroll
Tops CoHost
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Music revenue grows, but slows (MIDiA Research)
Recorded music revenue slowed in the first half of 2025, ocmpared to the previous year (H1 2024.) This measurement from MIDiA Research in its first mid-year recorded music model. Continue Reading
Daniel Ek plans transition from Spotify CEO; replacement(s) will still report to him
Whether intentionally timed to coincide with International Podcast Day or not, today’s news from Spotify is that CEO Daniel Ek will step aside. He will be replaced by two urrent execs, in a dual leadership arrangement — they also get loaded into the Board of Directors. Click for the details. Continue Reading
IAB revises 2025 ad spend forecast downward overall; digital audio expected to add share
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has revised its 2025 annual forecast of ad spend, “macroeconomic concerns” among ad buyers across multiple channels. The overall outlook has been revised downward by 1.6%. Click for more info, a visual and link to the original. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: September 26, 2025
Three-way partnership Twit TV
Surreality Joe Copeman
Getting out of the way 25th Hour Group (Neil Schore)
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Spotify strengthens AI rules and filters
“Music has always been shaped by technology,” Spotify observes in a recent update of its work to control AI music submissions. The pace of generative AI music creation and submission has motivated the company to detail its recent efforts to keep the service’s music authorship honest and human. Spotify details three primary initiatives to control the use, and limit the misuse, of AI-generated audio. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: September 24, 2025
Post-acquisition Promotion Audioboom
Acquiring Daylight Qcode
New Chapter Lindsay Adams
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Mobile device vs AM/FM receiver: Listening choice depends on urban/rural breakout (Edison Research)
The question is broad: How do Americans 13+ listen to audio? Edison Research frames that question as a comparison of two options: Mobile device AM/FM receiver In addition, there is a geographic breakout which measures Edison’s survey results in three… Continue Reading
Media’s most personal format gets AI-ified (Inception Point AI launch)
It’s a collision of values. The pride of podcasting is its personality. The value of AI is its automated replicability. Unstoppable force meets immovable object. That’s one way to frame the launch of Inception Point AI, a podcast creation machine which reportedly produces 3,000 podcast episodes per week. Click for details and public indusry reactions. Continue Reading
Audacy makes cross-continental deal with Southern Cross Austereo
U.S.-based content and entertainment company Audacy has partnered with audio content company LiSTNR. The thrust of it is that Listnr will provide sales repping and distribution of Audacy’s content. Click for details. Continue Reading
Steve Goldstein: The Tsunami of AI Content: When More Becomes Too Much
In his latest guest column, Amplifi Media’s Steve Goldstein examines the fast-growing phenomenon of AI-creaed podcasts — quality vs. quantity, the “Crest toothpaste problem,” the question of real value, and whether audiences will push back. Here’s one takeaway: “The reality is the audience backlash won’t be about whether content is human or AI. It will be about whether your content feels necessary, fresh, and worth their limited time. That means creating high-quality content that is unambiguously human.”
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