Test Drive: Rhapsody v5.0
Music subscription service Rhapsody sent a notice that its Android app has been refreshed with new design and usability features. Version 5.0 includes several key changes, which we tested. Continue Reading
Author: Brad Hill
AT&T moves toward FM reception in its smartphones
In an unexpected announcement by NextRadio that will be greeted warmly by all advocates of FM reception in smartphones, AT&T has added FM chip activation to the specification list that it gives OEM phone makers. This development carries a hopeful message to Emmis-owned NextRadio, and the stations which participate in that app. Continue Reading
Pandora expands Sponsored Listening to all advertisers
Pandora’s Sponsored Listening program, which began a beta launch period last October, emerges today as a full-throttle marketing opportunity for all advertisers. We spoke to Lizzie Widhelm, VP of Digital. Continue Reading
AdLarge gets exclusive repping of APNews audio via AudioBoom
Audio ad sales company AdLarge Media notified us today that it has acquired exclusive ad-rep rights to Associated Press (AP) on-demand news reports on AudioBoom. Along with extending AP’s exposure to marketers, there is a reach play in the deal, which allows affiliaste radio stations to host AP audio updates on their websites and mobile apps. Continue Reading
Internet Radio Rewind #52: A milestone for podcasting; Pandora’s strong earnings; more
A weekly podcast from RAIN News
Sponsored by AudioBoom
The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Scripps acquires Midroll Media in first-ever deal of its kind; more. Continue Reading
Pandora Q2 earnings: The strongest report in a year, stock +10%
“I’m looking forward to discussing our strong quarter, and the progress we’ve made across several business initiatives.,” said Brian McAndrews, CEO of Pandora, to start the Q2 earnings call. By any reckoning the call was a success, and for the first time in several quarters, the stock price responded with an upward swing in after-hours trading. Continue Reading
The Scripps/Midroll merger: Conversation with the execs
Yesterday’s announcement that E.W. Scripps acquired Midroll Media is a mile marker in the evolution of podcasting as an important media category. We spoke by phone with Adam Sachs (CEO, Midroll Media), and Adam Symson (SVP and Chief Digital Officer, Scripps) about the merger, its aftermath, and implications for podcasting. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: A Spotify tweet; refuting Neil Young; Apple Music ads
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. TODAY: Spotify’s tweet sets calculators going; commentary on Neil Young; Apple Music commercials. Continue Reading
The Download on Podcasts: The complexity of native advertising in public radio podcasts
The Download on Podcasts is a weekly feature sponsored by PodcastOne.
It seems simple in podcasting. The host reads and riffs on a sponsorship message, both elucidating major product points and offering personalization that could extend to a personal endorsement. Sounds a lot like what terrestrial radio has been doing for decades. It gets more complicated with public radio, though.
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Scripps acquires podcast ad network Midroll Media
Media powerhouse E.W. Scripps has just announced that it has acquired Midroll Media, parent company of Earwolf, Wolfpit, and Midroll. Midroll Media is a podcast ad network that sells across a portfolio of 200 home-grown and externally produced on-demand audio programs. Continue Reading
Streaming music’s quest for the magical, mythical mixtape
Spotify’s newest product, the Discover Weekly playlist, is streaming’s latest attempt at perfect music programming. What is perfect programming? The mixtape metaphor is often invoked. Can data or humans best create the perfect listening experience? Continue Reading
Amplifi Media infographic illustrates podcast metrics
Steve Goldstein started Amplifi Media in March, leaving a 30-year executive career at Saga Communications to apply his knowledge of content and production to on-demand audio. This week his team drew up an infographic snapshot of podcasting’s scope and demographics. Continue Reading