YouTube ads made more than $4 billion in Q1 2020
Alphabet has released its first-quarter results, including figures and stats for YouTube. YouTube ads generated $4.04 billion in revenue. Continue Reading
News
Merlin promotes Charlie Lexton as new COO
There’s another leadership change happening at Merlin, the independent label group and digital rights management group. Charlie Lexton has been promoted to the newly created post of chief operating officer. Continue Reading
Spotify sees overall growth in Q1 2020, is “optimistic” about its COVID-19 future
Spotify’s first quarter of 2020 included positive results on many important metrics, even as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold around the world. The company is even remaining positive about the rest of the year, not changing its outlook for most key performance indicators, although it acknowledged the uncertainty ahead. Continue Reading
Spreaker launches Publisher Plan, bridging personal and enterprise hosting
Podcast technology platform Spreaker sent us an announcement of a new customer layer called the Spreaker Publisher Plan. That might sound generic, but is actually a precise layer of service that fits between the platform’s open sign-up service and its enterprise hosting capability which was launched last year. In our view, this product targets an increasingly thriving layer of indie podcast networks. Click to know more. Continue Reading
Apple Music arrives on Samsung Smart TVs
Apple Music is now available on Samsung Smart TVs. It is the first TV brand to integrate the streaming music platform on its devices. The music program will be available on models dating back to 2018. Continue Reading
Sirius XM Q1 results: Small growth for satellite radio operation and mixed performance for Pandora
Sirius XM has released its financials for the first quarter of 2020. The satellite radio and audio company reported revenue of $1.95 billion, up from $1.74 billion in the same period of 2019. Net income totaled $293 million, or 7 cents per share, up from $162 million, or 3 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Continue Reading
London’s Podcast Radio launches a live weekly chart show
Podcast Radio, the interesting all-podcast DAB+ radio station in London, has announced a weekly interview show of its own called The Pod 20. It’s a chart show with a podcaster guest interview. The show will be hosted by Graham Mack Continue Reading
Tidal reportedly offering free, video-only membership tier
Tidal appears to be adding a unique new option for connecting with its library. Billboard reported that the streaming service is launching a free tier called Tidal Access. Continue Reading
Nielsen’s Podcast Listener Buying Power Service grabs PodcastOne as new client
Venerable podcast giant PodcastOne has joined Nielsen’s qualitative profiling service, Podcast Listener Buying Power. Nielsen’s service launched last August. It’s ultimate goal is to connect podcast advertisers with certain listener types as profiled by Nielsen’s Scarborough category database. Continue Reading
Red Bull Records to host Virtual Festival promoting MusiCares
Live music events and concert weekends are all on hold due to the coronavirus, but many performers have been turning to online tools to still reach fans. The latest event to make the digital leap is the Red Bull Records Virtual Festival. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia partners with Uno Radio Group for expansion into Puerto Rico
iHeartMedia has entered a partnership with Uno Radio Group, a leading Puerto Rico broadcaster. The move that will extend the iHeartRadio brand to Puerto Rico. Uno Radio Group listeners will receive access to iHeartMedia’s content and programming, and iHeart’s advertising partners will be able to work with Uno Radio Group’s stations. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: In favor of HomePod, podcast SEO, and Philip Glass’ Sonos composition
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. Today, a writer defends Apple’s HomePod against two of its biggest criticisms, a startup explores the brave new world of podcast SEO, and an interview with Philip Glass on his audio branding for Sonos Radio. Continue Reading