First Episode is a Friday podcast discovery feature spotlighting new and almost-new shows. In this edition, a new program from WTOP, deep interviews by Kevin Rose, and a couple of TV lovers talk with actors. It’s Friday. Get listening. Continue Reading
Juniper Research returned from Mobile World Congress, the preeminent global exhibition of new mobile technology, and summarized its assessment of 2016 trends. (Download here.) We have pulled out the point pertinent to the future of digital audio, spiced with commentary. Continue Reading
Sony music labels have filed a lawsuit in a California federal court. The suit complains that Radionomy has not paid appropriate licensing royalties for use of music recordings since late 2014. Three labels are participating in the filing: Sony Music Entertainment, LaFace Records, and Arista Records. Continue Reading
Electronic music specialist Digitally Imported has released a status announcement of its audience growth. Double-digit increases in paid subscriptions to the listening platform have been accomplished, the result of product enhancements and new initiatives intended to drive user engagement. Continue Reading
Tuned Global and Triton Digital have reached a partnership in which Triton’s ad-exchange technology will monetize Tuned Global’s mobile apps. Specifically, Triton’s a2x programmatic platform will transact sales across the white-label service Tuned Global offers. Continue Reading
AdLarge has announced its latest podcast ad-repping deal, partnering with ex-SNL comedian Jim Beuer to exclusively bring to market his two existing podcasts, plus others currently in development. Continue Reading
Internet radio platform Radionomy today announced the release of new iOS and Android listening apps, and distribution agreements with Samsung Smart TVs and Roku. Click for the app review. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia delivered its Q4-2015 earning report and investor call last week, and as usual with these calls, the prepared statements and answers to investor questions gave perspective on the company’s strategic thinking. Broadcast and digital are “as one.” Continue Reading
Weekends were invented for catching up on new podcasts. We’ll check the historical accuracy of that statement, and in the meantime we present new and almost-new shows for your consideration. Happy Friday. Continue Reading
Standard Media Index released its January U.S. advertising report. As in other recent editions of this report, digital spending across media categories rose. The uplift in digital spending kept the entire ecosystem in a 13-month growth trend. Radio was split: Traditional radio down, Internet radio up, both by double digits. Continue Reading
A new podcast from Parents magazine was released yesterday as an entire 32-episode season, Netflix-style. Pregnant women and their partners can start listening at the episode that matches their stage. This clever idea adds a dimension to on-demand audio. Continue Reading
Today brings an announcement from ad-tech purveyor XAPPmedia, describing a partnership with Slacker Radio that brings XAPP’s voice-interactive technology to Slacker listeners for navigating the music library. Slacker users are served promotions for playlists, artists, or songs, and can switch to the promoted music by saying a word or phrase without touching the screen. Continue Reading