Guest columnist Doc Searls observes the thinning out of AM stations in the U.S., and FM stations abroad. Then, there’s the impact of the Internet. “This doesn’t mean radio is going away,” he explains. Continue Reading
Things have gotten real for small webcasters. December 31 came and went like a silent specter, as the law which gave special royalty rates to hobby and semi-pro online radio stations expired, its death seemingly unattended by the institutions which have power to revive or replace it. Perspectives from copyright attorney Kevin Goldberg and StreamLicensing founder Marvin Glass. Continue Reading
In December we wrote about the Listomania research from Chris Price of New Slang Media. Part two of Listomania goes deeper and more granular with a case study of Justin Bieber’s hit song, “Love Yourself.” What are the respective roles of streaming and broadcast radio in fostering a global hit song? Continue Reading
Webcast listening in November dropped slightly from the previous month, but still showed a 12% year-to-date increase during 2015, according to Triton Digital’s Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker, released today. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia is partnering with Canada’s largest media company, Bell Media, to take iHeartRadio to Canada this year. The exclusive deal pairs iHeart’s listening platform, one of the three leading streaming audio services in the U.S., with Bell Media’s 106 licensed radio stations across Canada. Continue Reading
Music and radio technology company 7digital today announced an acquisition agreement with French competitor Snowite. 7digital will absorb Snowite from French insolvency court (similar to U.S. bankruptcy), pending approval of that court. Continue Reading
This morning Triton Digital launched Tap Podcast, a new advertising platform for podcasts. Tap Podcast is a customized version of the Triton Advertising Platform (Tap), built to provide targeted ad injection in podcasts.
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Happy New Year!
In last year’s edition of RAIN’s annual predictions, we wrote: “2015 will be an eventful year for all stakeholders in online audio.” It was. This year will carry forward the audio industry’s reputation for disruptive change. RAIN News is pleased to present predictions from 23 thought-leading guest futurists Continue Reading
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Nearly two years ago, an article that questioned why audio doesn’t go viral, went viral. The article’s complaint has not been fully answered. Recently WNYC posted one of its podcasts to Facebook, but had to wrap it in a video because Facebook doesn’t have native audio. Podcasting might be the catalyst which changes the lack of social sharing in audio. Continue Reading
Consumer spending on digital products will grow a projected 5.1% to $2.1-trillion in 2019, according to McKinsey’s newly released State of Global Media Spending report. Advertiser spending on digital is growing even faster, and the trend, when combined with new CRB webcaster rates, might have implications for radio stations. Continue Reading
Live365, one of the most venerable brands in this industry, is affected by shifting regulations that change the cost of music on January. In addition, the company’s investors have pulled support from the company, forcing an immediate financial crisis. RAIN News has learned that as a result, nearly the entire staff was laid off this week. Continue Reading
Smooth Jazz Chicago, a RAIN Pureplay of the Day recipient, announced that it will end its three-year Internet radio business on December 31. Founder Rick O’Dell explained that the business cannot afford the new webcaster royalty rates without small webcaster protection which is expiring. Continue Reading