In this week’s Q2 earnings call, Townsquare Media noted that its digital initiatives, most of which are bundled into Townsquare Interactive and Townsquare Ignite, are leading drivers of quarterly growth. Also in the call, Townsquare execs advocate for regulatory loosening of local station ownership rules, saying that radio’s competitors are digital platforms. Continue Reading
Finance institution Citi has released a research report on the global music industry that is garnering headlines in the music press and sparking social media conversation among musicians. A comprehensive whitepaper and flow chart of music revenue was authored by a six-person international team. Continue Reading
Scripps-owned podcast content and advertising company Midroll Media booked $9.97-million in operating revenue in the second quarter, according to the SEC-filed 10-Q for E.W. Scripps. The roughly $10-million revenue represents a substantial gain of 35% over last year’s Q2 revenue for Midroll. Company executive comments from the earnings call. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio has collaborated with artificial intelligence platform Super Hi-Fi to improve the digital listening experience by imitating some of the nuances of a live radio broadcast. Super Hi-Fi will provide smoother song transitions such as precise crossfades, volume leveling, and gapless playback to digital listeners. Continue Reading
Podcast company ART19 announced that New York Media has joined its client roster. The publisher will work with ART19 for hosting and monetization in its podcast lineup, including its back catalog. Continue Reading
Podcast publisher Cadence13 announces that Origins, a long-form (seriously, LONG form) podcast hosted by author and journalist James Andrew Miller is set for a second slate of three chapters. If that seems short for a season, you need to know that a “chapter” typically contains six episodes, each longer than an hour. Continue Reading
Zeno Media, an aggregator of broadcast stations specializing in niche a diaspora communities, has launched a new strategic thrust with an agreement with about a dozen Haitian radio brands. Those stations are bundled into an app which provides streaming, Call-to-Listen (Zeno’s founding technology), on-demand content, subscription options, and intellectual property protections. Continue Reading
We received a note from Earth Rangers, a Canadian organization seeking to activate kids’ interest in conservation, about a new podcast called The Earth Rangers Podcast. Three business entities are involved. Continue Reading
“We’re still in the early innings and the market is growing rapidly,” said Pandora CEO Roger Lynch at the top of yesterday’s Q2 earnings call. He deployed the “early innings” metaphor in Q1 also. This time, Wall Street took a swing at that pitch, sending P stock up 20% in Wednesday morning’s early trading. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Examining a decidedly modern YouTube radio trend. Is Michael Barbaro the next Ira Glass? Shifting strategies at a streaming-only label. What is the future of music videos? Continue Reading
In our third year covering Podcast Movement’s gathering of creators, we saw a growing seriousness and increased emphasis on professionalization. In discussions with speakers and attendees, we heard a new balance of hope and realism. Continue Reading
(Not entirely safe for work): Podcasts. They’re like… opinions, everyone has one! Kitty’s starting her own with her best friend Pam. pic.twitter.com/aD44QtJzCv — The Weekly (@theweeklytv) July 12, 2018