RAIN 2018 highlights: Industry Acquisitions
The online audio industry was eventful in 2018, especially on the consolidation front. Here are the top M&A events: Continue Reading
Acquisitions & Partnerships
Apple reportedly acquires UK-based artist services company
Apple looks to be closing 2018 with another music business acquisition. Platoon is an A&R and creative services company founded in 2016. The London-based company has helped early-stage artists in the U.S. and the UK such as Billie Eilish, Jorja Smith, and Stefflon Don before their major signings. Continue Reading
Spotify wraps up 2018: Drake’s the top artist (again) and more weird stats feature in marketing
Spotify is closing out the year by sharing statistics. First, the streaming service shared its top performers of 2018. Second, it has opted to promote its platform for another year with the Wrapped promotional campaign of advertisements sharing unusual or funny data points from its listeners. Continue Reading
Scripps / Triton acquisition closes
The acquisition of Triton Digital by E.W. Scripps has closed, the parent company announced this morning. First announced six weeks ago, the merger settles what has been an uneven path for Triton in 2018, as it adds an important piece to Scripps’ digital acquisition strategy. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia acquires Jelli
iHeartMedia announced that it has acquired Jelli, a specialist in programmatic audio advertising for radio and the creator of the SpotPlan platform. Jelli’s technology has been pivotal as audio moves toward programmatic buying and selling. Its work has been especially relevant to the broadcast industry. Continue Reading
Global acquires leanStream, will rebrand as DAX Canada
Global continues to stay true to its name with the acquisition of Canadian audio streaming solutions specialist leanStream. As a result of the purchase, Global will launch DAX Canada, bringing its digital audio expertise and providing an ad sales foothold for a new market. Continue Reading
Scripps acquires Triton Digital
E.W. Scripps announced this morning that it has acquired Triton Digital, the leading ratings service for streaming audio and a global infrastructure service for digital audio delivery. The acquisition carries a price tag of $150-million, cash. Continue Reading
Apple reportedly acquires music analytics startup Asaii
Apple has reportedly acquired a machine learning music analytics company called Asaii. Axois first reported the deal, which would bolster the back-end offerings for artists in Apple Music. Asaii specializes in the discovery of new and emerging artists based on its assessments of music service and social media data. Continue Reading
Sirius XM acquires Pandora
In a landscape-shifting deal that could be filed in the “Finally!” folder, Sirius XM is buying Pandora. The satellite company already owned a 14% stake in the streaming audio giant, and three Sirius execs have been sitting on Pandora’s board for over a year. Pandora’s well-prepared material on the deal calls the combination “the world’s largest audio entertainment company.” Continue Reading
iHeartMedia to acquire Stuff Media, publisher of HowStuffWorks podcast network
iHeartMedia announced plans to acquire Stuff Media, the publisher behind HowStuffWorks and other premium podcast content. As a result of the deal, iHeart will be able to leverage Stuff Media’s original content, programming, and podcast management team to continue growing the joint operations. Continue Reading
Apple receives EU approval for Shazam acquisition
As hinted in recent weeks, the European Commission has approved Apple’s acquisition of audio identification tool Shazam. The purchase was first announced back in December 2017, but several European leaders pushed for a full investigation to ensure that the deal would not create issues of competition. Continue Reading
Apple’s Shazam acquision expected to receive approval following EU antitrust review
Apple’s acquisition of Shazam is anticipated to receive approval from EU regulators. The deal was announced back in December, but faced scrutiny over anti-trust questions. European regulators opted to launch a full investigation of those potential issues. Continue Reading