Omnifone has entered into a partnership with Japan’s Line Music. This deal will allow Line to access Omnifone’s global music licensing expertise and content services. The alliance will see Omnifone supporting the expansion of Line’s catalog by millions of tracks. Continue Reading
It’s a double dose of updates from Spotify today. First, the streaming platform introduced a feature dubbed Spotify In Residence. With these profiles, Spotify lets different artists take a spin at curating a special playlist in the style of a radio show. The second Spotify news comes from France, with reports that Spotify now has about 650,000 paying subscribers in that nation. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worth reads from around the web. Today: The “NPR Voice” has taken over the air (and podcast) sound. Adele is back, with meteoric force. Most stream-listening is mobile; the PC is over; what’s next? Continue Reading
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Pandora earnings and stock tumble; YouTube Red; music royalty controversy; Apple Music finally divulges numbers; more. Continue Reading
The Local Radio Freedom Act, a non-binding resolution that has been slowly garnering support over eight months, attained a majority in the House of Representatives with the addition of six member signatures. The resolution carries no legislative power, but generates impressive rhetoric. Continue Reading
Rivet Radio, which has been called “The Best In Bite-Sized News,” is adding 200 leading podcasts to its catalog, and has freshened its iOS app with a new content discovery feature called FOLLOW which personalizes the news stream. We tested it. Continue Reading
In a milestone agreement with ramifications for the streaming audio advertising ecosystem, Triton Digital will provide local digital audio metrics for the entire iHeartMedia empire of radio stations. iHeart will leverage Triton’s Webcast Metrics Local product, which provides audience measurement of audio streaming in local markets. Continue Reading
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Politicians on podcasts — is it the new thing? If so, it started withu President Obama on Marc Maron’s show, and is continuing with Donald Trump’s booking on Larry King’s podcast. Continue Reading
YouTube has at long last unveiled its paid, ad-free video subscription service. It’s called YouTube Red, and it will cost $9.99 a month. As predicted, a subscription to YouTube Red will include access to a redesigned YouTube Music app, which will replace Music Key. Continue Reading
Buzz, accusations, and legal jargon are swirling around the echosphere today in the wake of Spotify’s removal of the Victory Records song catalog from its library. Music licensing and royalty payouts in interactive streaming services are complex, sometimes compared to an impenetrable black box. Is there a solution? Continue Reading
Damian Marley, son of legend Bob Marley, is the latest member of Tidal’s artist-owner roster. The addition was announced at the Tidal X 10:20 Festival charity concert hosted by the streaming service in New York. Continue Reading
One of UMG’s top execs is stepping down effective immediately. Max Hole will leave his role as the Universal Music Group International’s chairman and CEO following medical troubles. Continue Reading