Thought Leaders

Interviews with, and contributions from, the most perceptive voices in the online audio industry.

7

Why radio should sell music

Posted on by Sean Ross

Radio has been selling music for a long time. Just not directly. No broadcaster claims it as a primary goal, compared to generating ratings and advertising revenue, but radio’s ability to create a sales story is certainly at the heart of its resistance to the latest music industry call for a performance royalty. No matter where you land on that issue, radio is more valuable to the music business if it can demonstrably generate purchases, and if there are still purchases to generate. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Future of Radio: DAB-enabled smartphone launches in UK and Australia; and Broadcast Bionics’ object-based editing

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Missives from the launch of the first digital radio smartphone in the UK and Australia. Great video from Broadcast Bionics. Also pieces about Serial, NPR One, NTS, and much more. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Future of Radio: Podcasts come to Google, more UK music for Radio 1, Indonesia switches on DAB+

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: A look at podcasts in Google Play, coverage from RAIN Summit West, the BBC’s British programming, and DAB+ rolls out in Indonesia. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Future of Radio: NPR future continues being debated, plus ‘bye bye breakfast radio’

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Pondering and pontificating about public radio’s future in a digital world. Much more from the U.S., the UK, and Australia. Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Future of Radio: NYT invests in podcasts, US consultant shocked at US radio, work placements

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Podcasting at the New York Times and radio outcry in San Francisco. Harsh words for U.S. radio and questions about unique content. Much more from around the world. Continue Reading →

1

SoundExchange’s Annual Royalty Collections Approaching $1 Billion — Due to Pandora

Posted on by Angus MacDonald

by Angus MacDonald

Intellectual property attorney Angus MacDonald was the first to calculate that Pandora paid more than half of all SoundExchange collections of royalties to record labels. In this column, he calculates a higher percentage for 2015, noting that the growth of SoundExchange royalty collections is tied closely to Pandora, and that the pace is slowing. Continue Reading →

Mark Mulligan: Spotify’s Billion Dollar Challenge

Posted on by Mark Mulligan

by Mark Mulligan

Spotify just changed the rules of the game, raising an unprecedented $1 billion in convertible debt. Guest columnist Mark Mulligan analyzes — what is Spotify’s strategy, and where will growth come from. One key: “The 9.99 subscription model is incredibly difficult (perhaps impossible) to run profitably at scale.” Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Future of Radio: The LG Stylus 2’s DAB receiver tested, Capital Radio in 1990, analytics

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: James reviews the LG Stylus 2 with its DAB+ receiver. Also a look back at Capital Radio, deep debates of video vs. radio, and much more. Continue Reading →