As the new Copyright Royalty Board rate ruling sinks in today, we look at how it might affect Pandora. Using the company’s 2017 Annual Report and financials from the most recent earnings report, it becomes clear that the new rates will not apply to most of Pandora’s royalty cost, and that the simple 44% CRB rate hike is actually more complicated … and lower. Continue Reading
Podcasting content and advertising company Midroll Media has post a top-of-the-year round-up of its business, and predictions for podcasting as a whole. One of those predictions is exceptionally bold. Also, is 2018 the year when podcasting is measured by listens instead of downloads? Continue Reading
The venerable E.W. Scripps Company, a multimedia national player in newspapers, radio, television, and digital media, has announced a tectonic and identity-changing restructure plan. As with many corporate reinventions, headcount will be reduced over 12-18 months, costs will be lowered, technology will be centralized, resources will be optimized across divisions. And radio will be ditched entirely. Continue Reading
Midroll Brand Studio, a division of podcast content and advertising company Midroll Media, announced the start of four new shows, each with presenting sponsors. Three brand sponsors are mentioned in the announcement: ZipRecruiter, Squarespace, and Carbonite. Continue Reading
Futuri Media issued an announcement today which expands the company’s purview beyond the suite of software and technology products it has offered broadcasters for years. At the crux is a new product called the Futuri Ad Network, which promises “flexible and turnkey options for generating revenue with digital content.” Continue Reading
In the November report of Triton Digital’s Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker, overall stream listening moved upward 3% for the whole group compared to October. Percentage gains for the month were led by Pandora and AccuRadio. Continue Reading
Announced in June, projected to launch in December, launch delayed in November — Apple’s HomePod smart speaker is now on the calendar to hit the market on February 9, with pre-orders starting this Friday. Questions loom. Continue Reading
Triton Digital and Edison Research have announced the date for the 2018 edition of The Infinite Dial, the influential annual study of how Americans listen to audio. It is Thursday, March 8. The live presentation is hosted annually by Tom Webster (SVP, Edison Research) and John Rosso (President, Market Development, Triton Digital). Continue Reading
When Apple announced that it was delaying launch of its HomePod — specced out as a premium smart speaker with superior audio — it seemed like a clear fail to us. But Siri has started playing in the voice-control field, even without a speaker device. Continue Reading
Jake Shapiro, head of RadioPublic, the Boston-based podcast creation and distribution company, posted a note indicating that some upgrades have been introduced to the RadioPublic web player at radioplayer.com. A permanent player, easier sharing, and new scrubbing tools have modernized the experience. Continue Reading
Information about the Spanish recorded music industry came to light over the weekend, with an optimistic report from Promusicae, a member organization of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). There were three headline points for the Spanish recording industry in 2017. Continue Reading
A few major labels (Sony, Warner, Capitol and others) are reportedly suing Fit Radio, an app which streams music for workout routines, and provides cardio coaching. The app has been downloaded a million times from the Android store. The plaintiffs say its fitness music is being used without a proper license. Continue Reading