Internet Radio Rewind #50: Dramatic streaming growth; Spotify’s odd request; Facebook and music

A weekly podcast from RAIN News

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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Nielsen mid-year report; U.K. streaming growth; Spotify tells subscribers to unsubscribe; Xbox Music reborn; Facebook and music. Continue Reading

Test Drive: Public radio app VuHaus offers excellent discovery via mobile video

Public radio is often ambitious in its goals for curating and presenting great music, and the latest project to come out of the organization is a delightful response to recent trends favoring both mobile and video. Several venerable public radio stations have joined forces to power a new mobile app that focuses on recordings of live performances. VuHaus is free for both iOS and Android, and it’s definitely worth a look and a listen. Continue Reading

Australia looks to expand DAB+ outside major cities

Australian Minister for Communications Malcom Turnbull released a report with recommendations for creating a digital radio planning committee in charge of rolling out DAB+ outside of the major metropolitan areas. Commercial Radio Australia and the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia voiced support for this step toward increasing DAB+ coverage. This new report sees digital radio as a supplement to broadcasting rather than a replacement, at least for the near future. Continue Reading

7digital reports positive H1 figures with streaming shift

7digital announced its half-year business developments. The company’s overall revenue rose 3% to about £5.2 million for the period. In the earnings discussion, the 7digital’s leaders talked about their efforts to shift core business away from music download platforms in favor of streaming services and how that success was reflected in its positive financial performance. Continue Reading

Xbox Music is getting rebranded as Groove

Microsoft has renamed its Xbox Music service to Groove. The previous name had caused confusion among potential listeners, many of whom thought that the service required an Xbox game console. “Groove” is a more accessible name for listeners who don’t have the gaming hardware. But the rebrand also seems to be part of a broader effort to update Microsoft’s entertainment offerings to keep pace with existing services. Continue Reading