RumorFact(ory): Amazon and SoundCloud
Some rumors are quickly borne out as fact. Others are just residue of the speculation factory. This week, Amazon and SoundCloud are in the news. Continue Reading
Author: Brad Hill
Last.FM terminates its radio subscription plan
Continuing along a path which has seen Last.FM reduce its features and concentrate on its core asset, the company is ending its subscription streaming radio plan as of April 28. The announcement cited “very difficult decisions” required by a changing music landscape. Continue Reading
Public Libraries start free music/media streaming
Public libraries have moved into the digital/Internet age with reasonable alacrity, digitizing their card catalogs, stocking their buildings with connected computers, and offering e-books alongside paper books. Now, some public libraries offer free streaming as a mode of borrowing, thanks to hoopla. Continue Reading
Songza’s “Concierge” programming now enhanced by weather conditions
“It’s Thursday morning. Play music for…” That’s the type of greeting Songza users see when they open the listening app. Songza’s music curation is fashioned around time of day, activity, mood, and genre, with the intent to serve up music that fits the listener perfectly. Now there is a new component in that curation equation — the weather. Continue Reading
MP3Tunes verdict: Michael Robertson owes millions; will appeal
“Hit” and “slammed” are the descriptors you see everywhere today, conveying the court decision in the Capital Records vs. MP3Tunes lawsuit. A milestone in the years-long trial, the jury found MP3Tunes founder and CEO Michael Robertson personally liable for music copyright infringement. Click through for old screenshots and a 2005 conversation with Robertson. Continue Reading
Podcasting in focus at RAIN Summit West
RAIN Summit West, now in its 13th year with a full-day agenda of panels and presentations, will include a focust on the varied and dynamic field of podcasting. Podcasting is a key topic in online audio. Along with heightened interest in podcasting come new definitions of what a podcast is, and the potential of its marketplace. Continue Reading
Meet Patrick Main, the man who programs Pandora’s newest branded stations
Patrick Main is a “Peetnik” — he works for Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a 300-store chain that predates Starbucks. As Bar Quality Manager, Patrick Main is involved in every aspect of the customer experience in a Peet’s store, and a good choice to manage the latest feature — new music soundtracks in collaboration with Pandora. Continue Reading
Radio revenue steady in 2013; BIA/Kelsey breaks out top 10 earners
BIA/Kelsey released its quarterly Investing in Radio Market Report, summarizing industry income for 2013 and identifying the 10 richest stations by revenue for the year. RAIN spoke to Dr. Mark Fratrik, SVP at BIA/Kelsey, about the forward path to success for broadcasters in all markets. He emphasized a multi-platform approach. Continue Reading
Marketron launches Mediascape Streaming to integrate campaign reporting
Marketron, a leading software solution provider to media industries, announced a new component of its Mediascape platform, Mediascape Streaming, which allows advertisers to roll up reporting across all inventory types, including streaming. Curtis Media Group is a beta-testing launch partner. Continue Reading
Radio group starts Radio League listening app — not a radio stream
The Journal Broadcast Group has launched a streaming music app that hopes to attract an audience seeking music with fewer commercials. Radio League is a pureplay online music app. We spoke with Michael Gay, VP of Interactive Media at Journal Broadcast. Continue Reading
Clear Channel makes revenue-sharing deal with BBR labels
In a continuation of a series of similar partnerships, Clear Channel has struck a revenue-sharing arrangement with Broken Bow records and Stoney Creek Records, both part of BBR Music Group. The agreement provides performance royalties to the labels and their artists, which Clear Channel (and all terrestrial radio) is not compelled to pay by government licensing regulations. Continue Reading
Pandora partners with Peet’s; we speak with Pandora marketing chief
Pandora has struck a partnership with Peet’s Coffee & Tea, in a new kind of deal for the market-leading Internet radio service. Peet’s is providing four branded, hand-curated stations to Pandora, and also playing those stations continuously in its 111 stores. Continue Reading