At the European Radio and Digital Audio Show in Paris, a three-day exhibition and presentation conference, one of the panels turned its focus to the future of radio in the next few years. A persistent and sometimes controversial point was whether to rebrand the radio industry to “audio.” Continue Reading
Merlin, the independent label network and rights organization, has signed a licensing deal with the short-form video platform TikTok. This multi-territory agreement will make Merlin’s repertoire of indie music available for legal use by any users of the social app. Continue Reading
Spotify’s assertive growth in podcasting (see yesterday’s report of the company’s growing distribution influence) was headlined in 2019 by acquisitions of Gimlet, Anchor, and Parcast. But outright acquisition isn’t the only way to gain content. Continue Reading
Amazon Music announced that it has more than 55 million customers globally in its streaming music network. That growth includes a more than 50% increase in Amazon Music Unlimited subscriptions during 2019. Continue Reading
The latest financial update from 7digital finds the B2B music provider on track to meet its 2019 expectations and see a full recovery in 2020. Thanks to new and renewed contracts and stable revenue for its direct-to-consumer content, 7digital expects to see an operational profit in the first half of 2020. Continue Reading
The BBC will soon have new leadership. Tony Hall will step down as the venerable UK broadcaster’s director general this summer, ending a seven-year tenure. “If I followed my heart I would genuinely never want to leave,” Hall said of his difficult decision to exit. Continue Reading
Spotify’s next podcast acquisition could be The Ringer, the network established by Bill Simmons in 2016. The Ringer is a sports and pop culture podcast publisher; Bill Simmons is ex-ESPN and helped start the 30 For 30 sports series. There is some fearful reaction on Twitter. Continue Reading
Lizhi, a leading audio content app in China, has launched on the U.S. stock market. It is trading on Nasdaq, and is one of the first non-music platforms from the country to go public. Lizhi is offering 4.1 million shares at $11 per share. Continue Reading
TuneIn announced that it has adopted a new sonic logo. This short audio snippet is designed to present company branding to listeners who are accessing TuneIn’s service on connected devices or screenless platforms. Continue Reading
Gaana, the streaming service catering to Indian audiences, has released its annual report on the country’s consumption trends. “2019 was a landmark year for music lovers, artists and the industry in more ways than one,” CEO Prashan Agarwal said. “The meteoric rise in regional music consumption across the nation marks one of the biggest cultural shifts in perception of music in the past decade.” Continue Reading
Spotify is letting the fur fly. The company has launched a fun new tool that will let pet owners create playlists dedicated to their pets. It will combine those traits with the owner’s listening habits to create a collection that both can equally enjoy. The company also compiled an infographic with the results from surveying 5,000 pet owners in the U.S., UK, Australia, Spain, and Italy. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia is creating loud buzz today as the behemoth audio company announces a comprehensive reorganization of its national footprint with an emphasis on technology, shared resources, and transformation. Continue Reading