RAIN Notes: April 9
— Scaling the pod boom (AdsWizz)
— Tip-toeing through the tipping points (Podcast Movement) Continue Reading
News
ENCO Systems upgrades its DJ replacement technology with upcoming release
Broadcast automation company ENCO Systems is announcing (pre-announcing, really) a new-and-evolved version of its aiTrack content insertion technology. The company describes it as “a fully cloud-native, automation-agnostic platform designed for modern broadcast environments.” The key function is scheduling AI-driven audio segments for live and automated programming. Continue Reading
BIA projects $184 billion 2026 local advertising; digital to surpass traditional
Media consultancy and data company BIA Advisory Services has revised a previously released forecast of local ad revenue in 2026. The upbeat data separate digital media and traditional media. The headline number is $184 billion, and there are interesting stories in the details. Continue Reading
Spotify launches new playlist technology for smarter podcast streaming
We receive this from Spotify: “Starting today, Prompted Playlist is expanding beyond music to now include podcasts.” This ingenious feature can create playlists based on the user’s listening history and real-time signals. Click for video. Continue Reading
APM / Streamguys join to launch new marketplace for podcasting and livestreaming
In what seems like a progressive and productive initiative, radio distribution giant American Public Media has partnered with enterprise streaming and podcast delivery platform Streamguys, to launch the Inform Media Network. The intent is to support noncommercial public media stations with a private, central marketplace for digital underwriting and sponsorship across podcasting and livestreaming. Continue Reading
Bill Ackman, American billionaire, seeks to acquire Universal Music Group
American billionaire and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has launched an effort to acquire Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world’s largest music ownership labels. There is a speculative acquisition cot of $64 billion. UMG stock jolted upward and seems to be holding. The takeover could be slowed or conceivably prevented by one family which owns a large share of UMG. Click for details and the chart. Continue Reading
Podchaser releases March “Power Score,” measuring post-launch succeses
Database and search engine Podchaser has released its first Power Score, a ranking success metric of recently released podcasts. This exercise is intended for advertisers, publicists, and researchers identify high-impact shows. The results provide a comparative measure of success and standing in the podcast ecosystem. Continue Reading
Baseball’s “Massive Opportunity” for audio: Audacys’… um … pitch
Audacy steps onto the mound (sorry, we’re taking a swing with the puns) with a bit of research and an announcement. The announcement is somewhat buried in the company’s summary of research findings, but we will reverse the order of events. Continue Reading
Delta / YouTube partnerhip takes off
Delta Airlines has launched an in-flight music discovery initiative, partnering with YouTube Premium. It’s a new programming project that features live music performances recorded inside a Delta Boeing 767 airplane. Continue Reading
Delta Airlines and YouTube Premium launch in-flight concerts recorded in planes
Delta Airlines has launched an in-flight music discovery initiative, partnering with YouTube Premium. It’s a new programming project that features live music performances recorded inside a Delta Boeing 767 airplane. More than just a branding exercise for YouTube, the partnership goal is to enroll passengers on YouTube Premium. Continue Reading
RAIN Time Travel: April 2016 headlines
In this monthly feature, we look back one decade and revisit selected headlines. Today — highlights from April 2016. In this review we see streaming expand around the world, and many other signs of progress. Happy decade surfing. Musicians… Continue Reading
OpenAI acquires TBPN; recognizes its audience & expert team
OpenAI, parent company of ChatGPT and other AI creations, has acquired TBPN (Technology Business Programming Network), a startup founded last year by Jordin Hays and John Coogan. Continue Reading