Spotify caught eyes and ears last spring with its plans for a piece of voice-activated hardware dubbed Car Thing. Now, it seems to have a new setting as its next goal, according to the latest update from a noted reverse-engineer. Continue Reading
MIDiA Research posted a graphic from its fourth-quarter podcast tracker survey ahead of the launch of its Podcast Platforms report. The data, from a consumer survey of 576 podcast users, show Spotify with a lead in the overall weighted average of four national cohorts. Spotify is also the leading podcast app for Canada, Australia, and the UK, according to MIDiA’s research — but Google leads in the U.S. Continue Reading
Gaana, the streaming service catering to Indian audiences, has released its annual report on the country’s consumption trends. “2019 was a landmark year for music lovers, artists and the industry in more ways than one,” CEO Prashan Agarwal said. “The meteoric rise in regional music consumption across the nation marks one of the biggest cultural shifts in perception of music in the past decade.” Continue Reading
The Mechanical Licensing Collective has appointed its CEO. The group was formed through the Music Modernization Act, which became law in October 2018, and is tasked with overseeing the new blanket license for digital platforms to use musical works. Continue Reading
Spotify is letting the fur fly. The company has launched a fun new tool that will let pet owners create playlists dedicated to their pets. It will combine those traits with the owner’s listening habits to create a collection that both can equally enjoy. The company also compiled an infographic with the results from surveying 5,000 pet owners in the U.S., UK, Australia, Spain, and Italy. Continue Reading
Google has several options for audio playback on its Home collection of smart speakers, but one appears to have been axed. The absense is Guest Mode, which lets visitors use Chromecast to play their own content to smart devices without logging onto WiFi. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia is creating loud buzz today as the behemoth audio company announces a comprehensive reorganization of its national footprint with an emphasis on technology, shared resources, and transformation. Continue Reading
UK-based media company Global announced that its DAX digital audio division will be made available to digital outdoor advertisers. DAX will be rebranded from the Digital Audio Exchange to the Digital Ad Exchange with this change in its scope. Continue Reading
Spotify has reached a licensing deal with Warner Music Group, which ends a complicated international dispute between the companies. The two parties had been locked in a legal debate about Spotify’s launch in India last February. Continue Reading
Pandora has introduced a new tool for its arsenal of advertising services. Test & Tune is its platform for control testing of an audio spot. Part of Pandora’s Insights Lab, Test & Tune will help brands learn if their ad creative is resonating with listeners. Continue Reading
Podcatcher and subscription service Luminary has lowered its Premium subscription. Along with the price drop, Luminary is making some new investments in Premium content according to Podnews. Continue Reading
Anghami, a music streaming service focused on audiences in the Middle East, is reportedly looking for potential buyers. Unnamed sources told Bloomberg that Anghami could be valued at as much as $400 million in a sale. Continue Reading