Steve Goldstein: CES = Disruption To Legacy Media
by Steve Goldstein
Guest columnist Steve Goldstein immerses himself in CES, and writes, “Nothing has been more impactful than seeing the trail of disruption to legacy media.” Continue Reading
Thought Leaders
Interviews with, and contributions from, the most perceptive voices in the online audio industry.
Listomania part 2: A case study of streaming’s hit-making power
In December we wrote about the Listomania research from Chris Price of New Slang Media. Part two of Listomania goes deeper and more granular with a case study of Justin Bieber’s hit song, “Love Yourself.” What are the respective roles of streaming and broadcast radio in fostering a global hit song? Continue Reading
Mark Mulligan: The Three Things You Need To Know About The UK Music Sales Figures
by Mark Mulligan
Guest contributor Mark Mulligan analyzes just-released U.K. music industry figures for 2015, which show a return to growth. Adele had a lot to do with it, but not (only) in the way you expect. Also, the “Transition Triangle” maps consumer migration to streaming. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Weekly Links: New online US music rates, Radio 1 music head poached by Spotify
by James Cridland
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Analysis of the CRB ruling in the U.S. Spotify lures away Radio 1’s music head. Much more news from around the world. Continue Reading
David Oxenford: CRB Set to Begin 3 New Royalty Proceedings – Mechanical Royalty, Sirius XM Satellite Royalty, and Noncommercial Broadcasting Over-the-Air Royalties
by David Oxenford
In tomorrow’s Federal Register, the Copyright Royalty Board will announce the commencement of three new proceedings to set music royalties for the 2018-2022 five-year period, each involving a different music right. Continue Reading
2016 Predictions: Industry thought-leaders peer into the new year for online audio
Happy New Year!
In last year’s edition of RAIN’s annual predictions, we wrote: “2015 will be an eventful year for all stakeholders in online audio.” It was. This year will carry forward the audio industry’s reputation for disruptive change. RAIN News is pleased to present predictions from 23 thought-leading guest futurists Continue Reading
CRB Developments: Revised Rates and Terms, Issues about Performance Complement and Small Webcasters
Unsettled issues are flowing into the industry mindspace following the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) ruling of new webcast royalty rates to labels on December 16. Broadcast law attorney David Oxenford untangles what the issues mean to broadcasters and small webcasters. Continue Reading
Playlist battles: Chris Price releases new study of playlist power
While albums fade as commercial products, and radio is challenged by streaming audio, is there a new power product that drives listens and accelerates hit-making? U.K.-based consultant and founder of New Slang Media, Chris Price, has emerged as a specialist in identifying the power of playlists, and quantifying their influence. Listomania is his new research study. Continue Reading
Observations and Analysis of the CRB Webcaster Rates
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. At that time he spoke of implications for the Webcasting IV process which ended this week with new webcaster rates for 2016. We asked MacDonald for his thoughts about the ruling, and he sent us his analysis. Continue Reading
Mid-size and small webcaster reaction to new CRB rates
While Pandora, iHeartMedia, and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are content with new CRB rates, the royalty ruling puts smaller streamers on shaky ground, we’ve heard from several sources. Click for comments by Rusty Hodge, Kurt Hanson, Brian McAndrews, and David Porter. Continue Reading
Two media attorneys look toward tomorrow’s CRB announcement
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) will outline new webcaster royalty rates tomorrow (Wednesday). Media attorneys Jay Rosenthal and David Leichtman weigh in with anticipatory comments. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Weekly Links: Scrap your debrief, do it yourself, and an Ed Sheeran peep show
by James Cridland
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: An article on why programme debriefs may not be useful. Ed Sheeran’s amusing peep show stunt. Plus the BBC, NextRadio, recommendations, and more. Continue Reading