RAIN Hotspots: Dec. 9 – Dec. 13
The five most-read article this week. Pandora VP speaks out; Spotify’s big announcement; the state of HD Radio; YouTube has more Led Zeppelin than Spotify; TuneIn’s year-end review.
Author: Brad Hill
MIDiA study analyzes why streaming audio is still niche
Internet radio and streaming audio have inched toward mainstream use, but still lag other media consumption types. A new study from MIDiA Consulting (Media Insights & Decisions in Action) seeks to discover why — while profiling digital music users generally. Continue Reading
RAIN Reads: David Lowery; streaming gifts
Two interesting Friday reads. David Lowery holds forth in Salon about the problem with compulsory music licenses in streaming music. He wants the U.S. government out of the rate-setting business. And, give the gift of streaming! Continue Reading
TuneIn’s 2013 year-end review
TuneIn, a leading stream aggregation platform, is promoting a 2013 wrap-up of popular and influential programs. The compilation comes from an analysis of year-end listener data, and shows of some fascinating broadcast and podcast material. Continue Reading
YouTube, sleeping giant, is winning the streaming-music race (including Led Zeppelin)
An unofficial revenue report reveals YouTube as a financial giant. On the content side, YouTube is winning the streaming-music war before launching its rumored music service. Led Zeppelin signed an “exclusive” streaming deal with Spotify, but already has a much larger presence on YouTube. Continue Reading
Rdio is expanding, too
Spotify isn’t the only service expanding internationally this week. Rdio is keeping pace, adding 22 countries for a total of 51 national markets. After recent layoffs, Rdio promised to scale its business. It just did. Continue Reading
Pandora VP on “replacing” radio, and how it is winning local
Pandora is not shy about its invasive business plan. Brian McAndrews has repeated that Pandora’s goal is to “disrupt” radio. This week at the JP Morgan Small/Mid Cap Conference, VP of Investor Relations Dominic Paschel sounded more imperialistic: “When you… Continue Reading
Is Spotify now radio? Or maybe Pandora?
At yesterday’s Spotify media event, founder Daniel Ek referenced radio frequently, and not uncritically. Spotify’s new free-mobile feature targets the ease of radio, plus the personalization of the Internet age. In use, it resembles Pandora. Does Spotify have a new identity? Continue Reading
Spotify unlocks mobile, expands internationally, and adds Led Zeppelin
“Let’s get to today’s announcements,” said founder Daniel Ek after a quick intro at the Spotify Event in New York today. There were three main headlines, each one certain to make some people happy. It’s about mobile, international, and getting the Led out. Continue Reading
Stitcher podcast awards now open for nominations
Podcast app Stitcher has opened up public nominations for The 2013 Stitcher Awards. You can enter favorites across 19 categories such as Best Investigative Reporting and Best Storytelling. After this round, visitors vote for winners. Continue Reading
State of HD Radio: a conversation with Bob Struble
Is HD Radio evolutionary, revolutionary, or neither? That depends on who you ask. The digital transmission technology is expanding its footprint — again, either slowly or quickly depending on who you’re talking to. We spoke to Bob Struble, President and CEO of iBiquity, the developer and owner of HD Radio technology. Continue Reading
2013 a big year for Pandora local sales
Pandora is scrutinized for its usage metrics — active listeners, listening hours, and share of market. Behind all that is the sales effort which funds the enterprise. 2013 has been a pivotal year in which Pandora built out a local sales network that resembles the revenue support systems of large media companies. Continue Reading