Larry Rosin: NPR One Has Changed My Life
by Larry Rosin
Every now and again – and perhaps more frequently these days – one encounters a technological change that immediately speaks to you and says: “You will never go back.” Continue Reading
Opinion & Features
Kurt Hanson: Target’s Failure in Canada Holds Lessons for Broadcasters
by Kurt Hanson
In 1962, a confluence of events occurred that eventually disrupted and transformed U.S. retailing. RAIN News founding editor Kurt Hanson examines what went wrong with retailer Target in Canada, and extracts lessons for broadcasters in the digital era. Plus…his dog goes shopping. Continue Reading
#tbt: Looking back at Shoutcast in 2002
We are adapting the “Throwback Thursday” social meme to cast an affectionate backward glance at music sites of the past. Today, a rear-view image of SHOUTcast, one of the most influential early streaming music platforms (and still influential today). Continue Reading
Mark Mulligan: What Spotify’s December Growth Tells Us About Pricing
by Mark Mulligan
Guest contributor Mark Mulligan examines Spotify’s recent subscriber reports (15-million paying users), and recommends pricing elasticity for subscription services. Continue Reading
Larry Rosin: Here Comes Hollywood
by Larry Rosin
Edison Research President Larry Rosin was interviewed by CNBC about the “Serial” podcast phenomenon. In this guest column, Rosin expands on his thought that Hollywood is where the impact from “Serial” will occur. Continue Reading
Kurt Hanson: 2015 Predictions
by Kurt Hanson
RAIN’s founding editor Kurt Hanson gazes into the new year, and intones 15 predictions for 2015. Continue Reading
Forget the Whole Pie: Why Small Music Services Should Cultivate Core Audiences
by Mike Spinelli
Is streaming a winner-take-all market? Bob Lefsetz recently implied that, and guest columnist Mike Spinelli offers strategic thoughts targeted to specialized streaming services. Rather than attract every listener in the world, optimize the service around core specialty audiences. Continue Reading
Larry Rosin: Why Is iHeartRadio Not Growing?
by Larry Rosin
Guest columnist Larry Rosin examines trendlines of streaming growth as measured by Triton Digital’s monthly Webcast Metrics report. Continue Reading
Editor’s Notebook: From digital dashboard to self-driving cars
by Brad Hill
The digital dashboard is a gold-rush scramble for territory. But what if there were no dashboard at all? Autonomous (self-driving) cars are rolling toward us, and will be on the road sooner or later. How will audio competition be shaped when the car is a WiFi-connected living room? Continue Reading
Roger Lanctot: Cars Will Have Radios in 2015
by Roger Lanctot
Roger Lanctot is Associate Director of Strategy Analytics, and a thought leader in the connected-car space. In this guest article, he discusses the value of AM/FM radio on the dashboard. “Cars may be losing their CD players, but cars will definitely have radios in 2015. The only problem is that you may not be able to find the radio…” Continue Reading
2015 Predictions: Over 20 thought leaders look into the new year
Happy New Year!
RAIN is pleased to present 43 predictions from 21 thought-leading guest futurists: Continue Reading
Editor’s Notebook: My album of the year comes from 1991, and from YouTube
by Brad Hill
Streaming is the present and the future, but sometimes it circles back to the past. A story of music discovery in the newest major music service, illustrating that the streaming lifestyle has many dimensions. Continue Reading