RAIN Notes: June 25
Doubling down (The Atlantic)/
Figuring it out (Jacobs Media)
Four billion streams and other facts (Rina Chandran) Continue Reading
News
NAB offers AI lessons for broadcasters
Trade group NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) has mounted an AI training program for broadcasters. It’s free, and promises practical knowledge for more efficient team work, strengthened reporting and storytelling, and a better product for audiences. “Artificial intelligence is rapidly… Continue Reading
Class action vs. Spotify dismissed by judge
A class action lawsuit filed against Spotify in November 2025 by was dismissed. The case involved music by Drake, although Drake himself was not involved and was not named as a defendant. It’s about bot farms and Spotify’s “streamshare” royalty payment system. Continue Reading
In cars they trust: Radio and listener routines
A newly released study commissioned by Katz Radio asks this question: “What makes a favorite radio station?” The inquiry is driven by a compelling engagement statistic. Continue Reading
Penske acquires key Vox Media properties, becoming world’s largest digimedia company
Penske Media Corporation (PMC) has agreed to acquire seven media brands belonging to Vox Media, as well as Vox’s digital ad marketplace and first-party data platform. Continue Reading
Cumulus / Signal Hill release latest Podcast Download Report
Signal Hill Insights and Cumulus Media have released the Spring 2026 edition of Podcast Download Spring 2026 Report. It’s the sixteenth edition of the bi-annual dataset, produced by Signal Hill and Cumulus Media. It is free to download in exchange for name and contact info. Click for linkage. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia launches AudioGraph, developed by Triton Digital
A new ad tech platform called AudioGraph, developed by Triton Digital, has been launched by iHeartMedia. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between traditional radio and digital meda — which might be considered a key industry mission across audio… Continue Reading
One decade; 386% growth
That startling growth metric comes from Edison Research in its latest Weekly Insight feature, taken from Edison’s ongoing Share of Ear research project. It’s about weekly time spent listening to podcasts. Click for the graphic. Continue Reading
Azerion unveils self-service omnichannel advertising platform
Self-serve digital advertising platforms emerging at a rate that seems to be reshaping the industry, and the accessibility of audio advertising. AI-powered Dutch tech company Azerion, which operates across 17 countries, has launched a self-service platform that aspires to bring omnichannel advertising to small and medium businesses. Continue Reading
Netflix/iHeart expand podcast partnership with celebrity soaked shows
Star-driven iHeartMedia podcasts are at the center of the company’s existing partnership with Netflix as the two companies expand the repertoire of their alliance. Continue Reading
Fox acquires Roku streaming platform
Media giant Fox Corporation has acquired digital entertainment platform and streaming enabler Roku. The acquisition cost is reported to be $22 billion, or $126 per share. That valuation is a 34% premium over Roku’s closing stock price at deal time.… Continue Reading
Updating podcast discovery strategy
Roger Nairn (Founder, Jar Podcast Solutions) and Tom Webster (Partner, Sounds Profitable) are collaborating on a new podcast research study — The Podcast Discovery Playbook (sponsored by Jar.) “A lot of podcast launch advice still sounds like it was written… Continue Reading