Spotify announced significant updates to its various computer and mobile apps today, affecting the look-and-feel of the user experience, and adding important music-collection features. On the feature side, users can now add albums and artists to personal collections. Continue Reading
A recent report from BIA/Kelsey notes that digital revenue is increasingly important to broadcasters, but still represents a small portion of overall earning. RAIN Summit West (April 6) will hit this topic squarely with a panel on local digital dollars, moderated by rick Ducey of BIA/Kelsey. Continue Reading
In a daring extension of Russia’s growing imperialism, Vladimir Putin today annexed Pandora Radio. The takeover adds turmoil to international tensions which have escalated in recent weeks. Spotify is reportedly amassing troops along its borders, hoping to deter an invasion and a potential domino effect in music services. Continue Reading
Just a few days following the announcement of Clear Channel’s revenue-sharing deal with BBR Music, a cluster of country-music record labels, the radio group announces the latest instance of its free-market royalty deal-making prowess, this time with Stardome Media Group. Stardome represents Latin music artists. Continue Reading
Raditaz, a now-defunct music service which closed in said “We’re Going Underground November, has raised $9.6-million for a relaunch effort. The CEO says the new service, called CUR Music, will land “between personalized radio services like Pandora and fully-fledged on-demand music services like Spotify.” Continue Reading
Stitcher updated its iPhone app, and is promoting the main added feature: a new Front Page that furnishes a personalized feed, or playlist, of the user’s favorite stations. The new iPhone Front Page is designed to get the user listening to preferred shows faster. Continue Reading
Rdio announced a new feature in its partnership with music-identification app Shazam, raising the game in an escalating rivalry with competing service SoundHound. The new feature enables users to take any song from Shazam’s Pulse service, which is a trending chart of popular song IDs, and throw it into an Rdio playlist. Continue Reading
Today XAPPmedia, a leading audio ad technology company, will announce the launch of XAPP Ads, which the company describes as “the first interactive audio advertising service for Internet radio publishers.” RAIN got an advance look/listen, and chatted with XAPPmedia CEO Pat Higbie. Continue Reading
Weekend Perspective is a quick and concise catch-up of the week’s news. This week: Pandora’s unique deal … Larry Rosin’s stern warning in Europe … Michael Robertson’s $41-million verdict … Mark Fratrik’s prescription for radio revenue … the remarkable Radio League app … and news bites from the music services. Continue Reading
RAIN Hotspots: the five most-read article this week. Pandora’s deal with Peet’s Coffee, and the man who programs their new stations … Larry Rosin issues a stern warning to European broadcasters … iHeartRadio gets it right with mobile notifications … Michael Robertson ordered to pay $41-million. Continue Reading
Some rumors are quickly borne out as fact. Others are just residue of the speculation factory. This week, Amazon and SoundCloud are in the news. Continue Reading
Continuing along a path which has seen Last.FM reduce its features and concentrate on its core asset, the company is ending its subscription streaming radio plan as of April 28. The announcement cited “very difficult decisions” required by a changing music landscape. Continue Reading