RAIN Notes: Friday, April 2
Jottings of note:
— Sounds like calisthenics (Univison)
— Segmenting the radio audience (Edison & NPR)
— Directing traffic (Spotify)
— The winner will be… (The Ambies)
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News
In new infrastructure bill, U.S. government seeks to limit number of podcasts
In what could be described as governmental overreach, the U.S. administration has included a “podcast restraint” section in its proposed $2 trillion infrastructure bill that was unveiled yesterday. “Enough is enough,” declared Deborah Rode, newly confirmed Secretary of Listening. “Everybody in this country has a box mattress by now.” Continue Reading
In startling reversal, AccuRadio moves to radio, citing high music royalty costs
AccuRadio, one of the two leading brands of pureplay online radio in the U.S., has stunned the online audio business community by announcing that it is switching to broadcast radio distribution. The change will occur on April 5. In an aggrieved press release the company cites high royalty costs, and says it can find greater profitability in AM radio “playing up to 22 minutes of commercials per hour.” Continue Reading
IAB reveals Podcast Upfront presenters for first springtime event
In December the Interactive Advertising Bureau announced a new annual schedule for its Podcast Upfront event, formerly in the fall. Going forward it would be a springtime event, planned for May 11-13 in 2021. Today the trade organization revealed its presenters. Continue Reading
Radio giant Entercom rebrands as Audacy; renames RADIO.COM; new look and feel throughout
Entercom, the second largest radio holding company in the U.S., a major podcast producer and audio streamer, has rebranded the entire organization as Audacy. Podcast subsidiaries Cadence13 and Pineapple Street Studios remain unchanged. Click through for lots of images of redesigned websites and the (former) RADIO.COM listening app. Continue Reading
Guy Raz’s Tinkercast deals with Sony Music for new kid/family podcasts
Tinkercast, an outfit founded by renowned podcast producer Guy Raz (former host of TED Radio Hour), has reached an agreement with Sony Music to produce a slate of podcasts for kids and families. No details of future shows, but the existing podcast Wow In The World (328 episodes) is bundled into the deal. Continue Reading
Local radio stations get streaming rights for Major League Baseball
As with other sports, media rights in Major League Baseball are tightly controlled and splintered among many options, some free and some dependent on subscription. Now MLB is loosening its grip on streaming audio baseball games. But not entirely. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Friday, March 26
Deezer seeks to democratize high-rez streaming, adding families to HiFi plans
Deezer’s push into high-rez audio streaming takes an additional step now, as the company announces an expansion of the HiFi listening plan to families. Five additional accounts can be added to an existing HiFi subscription for five dollars. Continue Reading
Samsung launches Samsung Podcasts feature for Galaxy phone users
Samsung has launched a podcast listening component to some of its phones, appropriately called Samsung Podcasts. The company says it’s for “users who want easier access to their favorite podcasts.” The feature is limited to certain Galaxy phones. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, March 25
Jottings of note:
— New exec hire: A Million Ads
— Radio HoF open voting
— Voice AI webinar
— Manoush zigzags Continue Reading
Podcast-to-radio: Success for AM talkers in Westwood One
Migrating podcasts to radio is sometimes hindered by radio’s rigid hourly clock. Westwood One has found success crossing over two political talk stars, Dan Bongino and Ben Shapiro, into radio syndication. Click for details and metrics. Continue Reading