RAIN Notes: Monday July 26
Jottings of Note
— Toss the TOS (James Cridland on Fireside)
— I Want My… (MTV. Bob Pittman celebrates)
— Quick and Dirty (History)
News
SCA loads up LiSTNR with new music stations, adopting a radio-app strategy
Australian media company Southern Cross Austereo has added 10 music stations to its LiSTNR app, bringing its total station count to 25. The company is calling the additions “DAB+ music stations,” but the emphasis is more on the app than on DAB+ reception and listening. Adding pure music streams to radio-based apps is a familiar strategy. Continue Reading
Darren Davis to step away from iHeartMedia, ending near-30-year run
Darren Davis, the president of iHeartRadio for nearly eight years, and a near-30-year veteran of iHeartMedia, is formally leaving the company at year’s end. He will maintain an advisory role. We reminisce across the career milestones of a valued RAIN partner. Continue Reading
Pacific Content expands services beyond core production, working with Chartable and Signal Hill Insights
Leading branded content podcast company Pacific Content has fleshed out its platform, adding pre- and post-production service to legacy show production skill. We talked to the company to get details. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, July 22
Jottings of Note
— Psychic Prowess? (Jason Brownlee)
— Toutes les Felicitations (AdsWizz)
— New Leash on Life (Gary Reisman)
NBC Olympics piles into podcasting, creating Apple Podcasts channel
As the beleaguered Tokyo Olympics get underway this week, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, NBC Olympics is promoting its range of Olympics podcasts. The network’s emphasis is on its Apple Podcasts channel, where the shows are grouped. Click for details. Continue Reading
BetterHelp top podcast advertiser in June; three newcomers in top 15 (Magellan AI)
Online therapy service BetterHelp topped Magellan AI’s monthly list of top advertisers of June. BetterHelp was the biggest spender the previous two months as well, and we compare April, May, and June lists with a graphic illustrating unique appearances. ALSO: a fantastic animated visualization of the top podcast spenders over 12 months — must see. Continue Reading
Gastropod partners with Vox Media’s Eater for sales, marketing, distribution, and future development
In a landmark piece of bizdev for popular podcast Gastropod, the show is tying up with Eater, a Vox Media property. The Eater/Vox promotion and sales machinery will handle Gastropod‘s marketing, ad sales, and distribution. The announcement also promises “editorial collaborations and extensions.” It is not an acquisition; Gastropod remains independently owned. Continue Reading
Audioboom Q2 earnings: Record revenue and “strong impact on the industry”
Global podcast company Audioboom released its Q2 earnings this morning (London Stock Exchange), documenting record high revenue and a bit of profit (using adjusted EBITDA) — the first reported profit for the company. Click through for financials and comments from CEO Stuart Last. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Monday, July 19
Jottings of Note
— New Horizons (James O. Boggs)
— Mapping Radio’s Place (NuVoodoo)
— Bereavement (Mat George)
UK Parliamentary committee calls for new regulation of music streaming rates for musicians: “A complete reset”
A 97-paragraph UK Parliamentary committee has issued a dense report which analyzes the British music streaming industry, educating lawmakers about how it works and recommending a “complete reset.” Two main thrusts: Criticism of labels, and recommendation of collective licensing as in the U.S. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, July 15
Jottings of Note
— Money for Nothing (U.S. Copyright Office)
— Platform of Champions (Acast)
— Hopeful Return (Sonos & PRX)