We recently reported that Google was (or is) in acquisition talks with Internet radio service Songza. Part of that report indicated that Google might have been talking to other (unnamed) streaming-music platforms also. today, a report emerges that Google attempted to buy 8tracks, a popular and profitable listening service that specializes in crowd-sourced playlists. Continue Reading
Nominations are flowing into this year’s RAIN Internet Radio Awards. The Internet Radio Awards take self-nominations in five categories. Last year, Christian music station the blast won top prize in the Single Station Webcaster category. Will it be unseated in 2014? Continue Reading
At RAIN Summit NYC in February, Gary Liu, Global Head of Industry Development at Spotify, suggested a novel advertising strategy during a panel session. Liu speculated that music-service listeners might be willing to play ads on demand, in order to clear out advertising for an extended stretch of uninterrupted music listening. There were some chuckles in the audience over that, but a report in AdAge indicates that Spotify will pitch a similar idea to advertisers at this week’s Cannes Lions festival. Continue Reading
YouTube’s contentious negotiations with some independent labels is about to reach a culminating point, as Google will soon begin removing videos of music owned by labels which have not signed a new licensing agreement. Open questions remain. Also, details about the long-rumored YouTube music service are starting to seep out. Continue Reading
Business software company Marketron announced today that it has combined two product units, Marketron Mobile and Marketron Interactive, into a one-stop solution center called Marketron Digital. The announcement came during this week’s Marketron User Symposium in Chicago. Continue Reading
Broadcast law attorney David Oxenford contributes an information-packed overview of potential music copyright reform, and all its moving parts. Continue Reading
All live jazz concerts. Don’t let the 1996-style website put you off. The listening is outstanding, and the site dishes out valuable information about the artists. Inside jazz is a great Internet radio station, with the sort of off-the-beaten-path programming dedication that justifies the entire indie-radio category. Every jazz lover needs to know about Inside Jazz. Continue Reading
Earbits, an interactive music service specializing in independent music with unique business and revenue models, is closing as of Monday. Earbits went down an unusual path in providing new kinds of value to listeners and artists, connecting its audience to bands via artist merchandise, mailing lists, and social sharing. Continue Reading
This weekly podcast is a quick and concise catch-up of the week’s top stories.
This week: Apple’s announcements …. The future of the music industry … the U.S. government might change music licensing … and independent labels throw YouTube under the bus. Continue Reading
RAIN Hotspots: the five most-read articles of the week. Triton Digital webcast metrics…SoundExchange CEO says radio hurts music sales…KCRW launched gleaming new website…iTunes Radio goes broadcast…review of Amazon’s Prime Music Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthwhile reads from around the web: Is Amazon Prime Music the future of digital music? And an obituary for East Village Radio. Continue Reading
Broadcast-law attorney and RAIN contributor David Oxenford notes a piece of information important to all webcasters. The Copyright Royalty Board has extended the deadline for comment on proposed rule changes to how webcasters report the songs they’ve played, to SoundExchange, which collects and distributes royalties to labels and artists. Continue Reading