AudioHQ has announced a partnership with talent agency Paradigm to create long-form digital audio content. The two companies will collaborate on developing, distributing, and selling this on-demand audio programming along the traditional Hollywood studio model, which the two companies say is a new approach at large scale. Continue Reading
Beatport announced a partnership with T-Mobile to offer exclusive content to the customers of both companies. Members of T-Mobile Backstage will get access to ticket giveaways and special access to SFX events sponsored by the telecom. Continue Reading
The summer 2015 edition of Next Big Sound’s music industry report may be the last one to highlight SoundCloud. The online audio platform is no longer reporting to the data analytics expert. Next Big Sound tweeted to a client that SoundCloud opted to cease reporting last month, and a rep from SoundCloud confirmed the decision to Music Ally. Continue Reading
Yesterday we reported on research published by MusicWatch that found Apple Music was facing an uphill battle in retaining its audience. Apple has interjected into that conversation, issuing a statement to The Verge claiming that 79% of the people who signed for Apple Music still use it. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes in the audio industry. CueSongs brings on new development exec, while a new national account manager joins the team at AdLarge. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. TODAY: Bob Lefsetz discovers podcasts; T-Bone talks streaming and tech. Continue Reading
Apple has rebranded its iTunes Music Festival to the Apple Music Festival, pivoting the London event to focus on its recently launched streaming service. Outside of renaming the event, Apple also announced that it will have extensive tie-ins with the new streaming platform. The festival shows will be streamed live and on demand in Apple Music. Continue Reading
Deezer is reportedly looking to raise enough funds to be valued at about €1 billion ($1.1 billion). The company’s reps have not made any comment on the reports. If true, and successful, Deezer would be the third dedicated streaming-audio company to reach a valuation in the billions of dollars. Continue Reading
We’ve been hearing whispers about SoundCloud and its outlook for months, with people across the industry questioning whether the audio platform is hovering on the brink of glory or disaster. The latest hints point to positive news, as rumors circulate that it is on the cusp of agreeing to a licensing deal with longtime critic Universal Music Group. Continue Reading
Midroll Media, freshly in its new home as a wholly owned subsidiary of E.W. Scripps, announced today the lauch of Howl Premium, a subscription service that delivers ad-free, curated podcast listening. A Neftflix-like approach to podcast discovery? Continue Reading
Mad Genius Radio, a lean-back listening platform that allows stream customization by mixing genres and balancing how each type of music is weighted in the stream, will close on Thursday, August 20. Founder Eric Neumann contacted RAIN with the news. Continue Reading
In what has come to be known as the “freemium debate,” arguments focus on whether ad-supported listening to vast catalogs of music, with limited interactivity, effectively funnel users to music subscription plans that yield high-margin royalty payments to labels and artists. The CEO of UMG thinks it’s all about balance. Continue Reading