Infinite Dial: Older types of listening rule the road as 80% of cars still lack modern in-dash entertainment systems

While listening trends are changeable on the whole, American in-car listening routines are decidedly un-modern. AM/FM radio, owned music files, and CDs are the most-used sources. Online streaming and podcasts are making gains, hampered by an 80% lack of in-dash entertainment systems in the American car fleet.
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As Acast considers IPO, a release of 2020 insights: Large annual growth in plays, audience, and brand advertising

Acast has released a review of 2020 metrics revealing year-over-year growth metrics and the company’s current global footprint. At the same time, the company sent us a notice of a Board review of “potential strategic and financial initiatives.” Click through for U.S. and global year-over-year listening and audience reach metrics, and growth of programmatic advertising and branded content. Continue Reading

30% of all American audio listening happens via mobile; on track to surpass radio receivers

Listening on a mobile device now accounts for 30% of all time spent listening to audio by those age 13+ in the U.S., an increase of 67% since 2014 — that from Edison Research, which has released a few munchable data snacks from its Share of Ear research. Click through for more highlights, including AM/FM analysis and age breakdowns. Continue Reading

Podtrac Feb. 2021 ranker: 15 of 20 shows remain the same from Feb. 2020

In February 2020, we called the Podtrac Top Podcasts ranker “business as usual.” The same characterization remains a year later. We compared Podtrac’s recently released Top 20 Podcasts list for February 2021 with the year-ago list. Fifteen of the shows remain the same, with four of the top five retaining their positions. Click through for a graphic illustration. Continue Reading

In streaming music, “tectonic” shift toward direct artists and non-Merlin indie labels — the “new independent”

Mark Mulligan of MIDiA Research published research showing a long tail of music providers which is gradually taking Spotify listening share from major labels and the mighty Merlin aggregate of indie labels. This cohort of providers, growing over three years, represents a “new independent.” Click through for a revealing graphic.
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