iHeartRadio commissioned a study from Ipsos Research exploring the reach and popularity of different audio formats. The results backed other studies on the continued dominance of radio, and noted that younger listeners are driving much of the growth in audio. Continue Reading
A collection of global music industry organizations and businesses have banded together to curb stream manipulation. Their “code of best practice” includes 21 points directed toward stopping efforts to artificially inflate stream counts and influence copyright payouts on audio and audio/visual platforms. Manipulation might include the use of bots, other automated processes, false accounts, and “pay for play” approaches to skewing stream counts. Continue Reading
The recorded music industry has scored another win in shutting down stream-ripping sites. German based operation Convert2MP3, which reportedly generated 684 million visits over the past year, has been closed thanks to a joint effort by the IFPI and local trade group BVMI. Continue Reading
Interactive voice marketing platform Instreamatic has entered a new integration with jācapps. The deal will allow jācapps clients, including commercial, public, and Christian radio, to take advantage of Instreamatic’s audio ad technology. Continue Reading
In a new on-demand audio venture that parallels its podcast activity, NPR has launched a new series of music playlists that will be available on its website as well as on Spotify and Apple Music. Continue Reading
Wixen, an independent music publisher, has sued Pandora over the audio company’s display of lyrics. Pandora shows song lyrics for some tracks playing on both its mobile and desktop versions thanks to partnerships with third-party services. Continue Reading
Merlin, the digital rights agency and independent label network, shared two big announcements. First, it has released its annual report with details about member revenue. Second, its longtime leader is stepping down. Continue Reading
Google and Genius are having a complicated squabble over sourcing lyrics. Genius, a lyrics annotation service, claimed that Google has been scraping its content and publishing it without appropriate credit, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Continue Reading
Podcast ad network AdvertiseCast has gained exclusive advertising representation with Wisecrack, a boutique podcast network that specializes in humorous educational programs. AdvertiseCast claims a reach of 30,000,000 monthly listeners across 1,500 podcasts, and an inventory of 7,500 ad spots. Continue Reading
Getting paid is usually at the front of any artist’s mind, and while it seems like there have never been more options for making money in a digital economy, the existing platforms can change at a moment’s notice. One such service is Drip, which was initially a fan service for indie music that Kickstarter acquired in 2016 and relaunched the following year for broader aristic subscription support. Continue Reading
Triton Digital has added another new client integration for its a2x programmatic audio advertising exchange. Centro, an advertising technology provider, will integrate its Basis digital media platform with a2x. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Billboard on Africa’s early streaming moves. Radio + podcasts + promotion. Why podcasts can’t rely on ads. What a snore! Continue Reading