Pandora to acquire data company Next Big Sound
Data, and more data. Pandora announced this morning its acquisition of music analytics company Next Big Sound. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Continue Reading
News
Deezer launches Stitcher integration, adding news and entertainment to music catalog
Global on-demand music service Deezer is announcing today the integration of Stitcher audio programs, following Deezer’s acquisition of the long-established podcast app in October. The integration mixes news, entertainment, and sports programs to Deezer’s 35-million-song music catalog. Continue Reading
France making renewed push on digital radio
France’s Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel, also known as the CSA, has announced that it plans to launch a public consultation about digital terrestrial radio by the end of May. This consultation is expected to decide which regions of the country should be the next to receive digital radio infrastructure. More than a dozen French cities are up for consideration, and the new digital stations are projected to go on-air by September 2016. Continue Reading
Audible pivots further into podcasting with plans for original content
Audible made its name in the digital space selling subscriptions to audiobooks. Now, as podcasting’s star continues to rise, the Amazon-owned company appears to be shifting its focus to take advantage of the newest trend. Audible hired NPR’s top content developer to a new role as SVP of original content. Continue Reading
Podcast network Acast raises $5-million from Bonnier Media Growth
Money continues to flow into the burgeoning podcast category as Bonnier Growth Media, a Swedish investment firm, today announced closing a $5-million capital investment in Acast, and podcast and advertising network, also in Sweden. Continue Reading
Internet Radio Rewind #043: BMI wins Pandora royalty case; new Apple/Beats rumors
A weekly podcast from RAIN News
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: BMI wins lawsuit vs. Pandora; new streaming advertising report; Apple/Beats rumors; Rdio’s new plan Continue Reading
Rumor Fact(ory): Spotify to curtail freemium to three months?
Digital Music News is reporting that Spotify may place some restrictions on its freemium listening tier. Unnamed sources have told that site that the free, ad-supported access could be limited to just three months under a new proposal. This is the type of change that labels and publishers have been pressuring the streaming service to make, and the leaders at Universal and Sony seem to be the driving force behind the rumored proposal. Continue Reading
Radiotopia receives $1 million from Knight Foundation
Radiotopia received an investment of $1 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The podcast network will use the money to add to its portfolio of shows and to hire an executive producer. It is the second time that the Knight Foundation has contributed to Radiotopia’s development; it also gave $200,000 in February 2014. Continue Reading
New Australian singles chart to reflect YouTube popularity
Australia’s music industry is adding a new weekly chart to reflect the popularity of streams. The Australian Recording Industry Association will launch the Top 40 Audio & Visual Streaming Chart on Monday, May 18. It will incorporate plays from all official music videos on YouTube. Continue Reading
Rdio announces $3.99 plan, driving a wedge between freemium and full on-demand
Rdio has added a new subscription tier focused on mobile listening to its available offerings. Rdio Select offers elements of both lean-back and on-demand listening on mobile devices for $3.99 a month. It is an innovative, carefully considered competitive gambit. Continue Reading
Rumor Fact(ory): Apple’s will ditch Beats brand, offer social features to artists
Today brings a fresh batch of rumors and sneak peaks into Apple’s forthcoming music service, as usual courtesy of 9to5Mac. Unnamed industry sources told the site that despite being based on Beats Music, the new platform is likely to be called Apple Music. It is also expected to integrate social features similar to ones that Apple previously experimented with in the form of Ping. Continue Reading
XAPPmedia raises $3.8-million to expand services, bringing total capitalization to $6.8-million
Ad technology company XAPPmedia announced the closing of a $3.8-million round of new capital funding. The private investors were not disclosed. After a previous funding round of $3-million, XAPP’s total funding now stands at $6.8-million. Continue Reading