News 327 - RAIN News

Whooshkaa podcasting platform getting Facebook audio

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Australia-based Whooshkaa announced that it will be using new audio sharing technology from Facebook, so its shows can be played directly from the social network’s main feed. “After months working with Facebook, we’re delighted to be the world’s first podcasting platform to take advantage of this new audio sharing technology, joining the likes of Spotify and the United States’ National Public Radio,” founder Rob Loewenthal said. Continue Reading →

BBC begins global rollout of iPlayer Radio app

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Anna Washenko

The BBC’s iPlayer Radio app is now available for the first time outside the UK. The mobile app is now available in Ireland in what the broadcaster has called the “first stage of a global rollout.” Continue Reading →

Spotify reportedly hits 37 million subscribers on the back of price promos

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Spotify has been putting up big numbers in recent months as it grows a subscriber base. Now, sources say that the streaming service reportedly has expanded to about 37 million paying subscribers. The company has not confirmed that number, but given its recent rates of listener acquisition, the reports aren’t much of a surprise. Continue Reading →

Quick Hits: Spotify’s top Discover Weekly finds; Rdio v Sony escalates; UK piracy report

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: A Discover Weekly data dive; Rdio accuses Sony of antitrust activity; UK report finds piracy on continued decline. Continue Reading →

Audible launching $5 monthly subscription for short-form audio

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Audible has added a new subscription option called Channels that focuses on short-form audio content. The subscription includes original shows from Audible alongside and news and shows from publishers such as The Wall Street Journal, The Onion, and Scientific American. Continue Reading →

Podcast host Libsyn adds iHeartRadio to its distribution network

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Brad Hill

Today at the Podcast Movement conference Libsyn announced that its hosted podcasts can now easily integrate with iHeartRadio. At the same time, Libsyn has updated its producer analytics tool to measure listenership in each of a podcast’s distributed destinations. Continue Reading →

SoundCloud adds artist-seeded Stations

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Anna Washenko

SoundCloud is expanding its Station feature. The lean-back streams can now be seeded from an artist, with a new Start Station button now appearing on all performers’ profiles. Continue Reading →

AdsWizz and National Public Media form podcast-specific advertising marketplace

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Brad Hill

AdsWizz took advantage of this week’s Podcast Movement conference in Chicago, and the resulting intense focus on podcasting, to announce PodWave — the first podcast-specific advertising marketplace. National Public Media is the launch partner. Continue Reading →

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The Download on Podcasts: In search of standard measurement

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Brad Hill

Podcast listening measurement is a notorious problem — depending on who you ask. Some network owners perform their own analytics, and drive business forward based on them. But advertisers want to bring order to podcasting, so they can better measure the opportunity. Continue Reading →

Columbia’s WKCR is airing online once again

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Anna Washenko

The online stream of Columbia University’s WKCR station is back in business after a several months of silence. The organization suspended its online simulcasts in January, although it was tight-lipped about the exact reasons for the hiatus. Continue Reading →

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[UPDATE] Spotify accuses Apple of using App Store approval “as a weapon;” Apple responds

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Following on yesterday’s barbs, Spotify is making another, more aggressive attack against Apple Music. A lawyer from Spotify sent a letter to the rival streaming service stating that Apple Music is causing harm to Spotify and its customers by rejecting an iOS update to its app. [Update: Apple responds.] Continue Reading →

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Apple in acquisition talks with Tidal, but will it really happen?

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Anna Washenko

Apple has entered into discussions with Tidal about a potential acquisition. The Wall Street Journal reported that the two parties have been in talks, citing unnamed people familiar with the proceedings. On the surface, this seems like a reasonable pairing. Both Tidal and Apple Music have been focused on creating artist-friendly services, each securing some coups in exclusive releases over the past month. But digging a little deeper, Tidal’s recent accomplishments might cast doubt on the tie-up. Continue Reading →