SoundCloud adds support for mobile uploads
SoundCloud introduced a new feature that allows users to upload tracks from their smartphones. This feature is rolling out for the audio platform’s iOS app, with Android coming soon. Continue Reading
Radio Music License Committee takes court win over Global Music Rights
The Radio Music License Committee won a victory in court over the performing rights organization Global Music Rights. GMR launched in 2014 under a joint venture from former Live Nation Entertainment chairman Irving Azoff and the Madison Square Garden Company. Continue Reading
Industry veterans launch new Podcast Academy professional organization
Podcasting has drawn a rising amount of attention, acclaim, and income in the past several years. That growth has been paired with investments in infrastructure aimed at continuing that progress. The latest is a new not-for-profit organization called the Podcast Academy. Continue Reading
Deloitte report sees podcast revenue breaking the $1 billion milestone this year
Deloitte released its annual report with predictions for the tech, media, and telecom sectors. The analysis included a section devoted to audiobooks and podcasts. Deloitte predicted that the global podcast market would be worth $1.1 billion in 2020, while it pegged the global audiobook market as hitting $3.5 billion. Continue Reading
“Staples Connect” launches with Spreaker partnership for in-store podcast studios
Staples, the office supply chain, recently announced Staples Connect, and interesting reinvention of some stores to include co-working spaces, community gathering spaces, and podcasting facilities. Spreaker announced its launch partnership, offering discounted access to its hosting and distribution platform. Continue Reading
December streaming, and flashback 10 years of RAIN tracking of Triton Digital Webcast Metrics
RAIN has been tracking Triton Digital’s monthly Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker for more than 10 years, starting in September 2009. Looking back to that Ranker, we see a couple of interesting things — a trip down memory lane in the growth of streaming. Continue Reading
CNN launches new audio & podcast division, announces key leadership hires
CNN is launching a new dedicated division to help the broadcaster build a bigger presence in audio programming. CNN Audio plans to develop and launch a new slate of shows for CNN Podcasts. It will also be the new home for existing podcasts under CNN’s banner. Continue Reading
Strategy Analytics: Chinese brands grew smart speaker market share, challenging Amazon and Google’s leads
Strategy Analytics released its latest analysis on the global smart speaker market. Its Q4 results found that Amazon is still the top brand by market share, followed by Google, although both are being challenged by companies in China. Continue Reading
Westwood One/Cumulus Media debut on the January 2020 Podtrac ranker
Podtrac released its list of the top 15 podcast publishers from January 2020. The month included a mixed set of results in terms of performance. Overall, Podtrac tracked 1.3 billion IAB-certified downloads across all its measured publishers. Continue Reading
Acast to provide podcast monetization for PBS NewsHour
Acast announced that PBS NewsHour is joining its network of publisher partners. Acast will provide the nightly news broadcast with monetization for its podcast programming, and select shows from its roster will be able to support sponsorships. Continue Reading
Major audio networks shared news, shows, and more during Podfront LA
The podcast industry convened in Los Angeles this week to share news and announcements for the second annual upfront event. Podfront LA included presentations from several notable networks. Here are the presentation summaries as described in the Podfront LA press release. Continue Reading
Universal Music Group on-year streaming revenue grew more than 20% and an IPO is in the forecast
Universal Music Group posted strong financial results for its 2019 fiscal year. Parent company Vivendi also used the earnings announcement to share some developments for the label. Not only is UMG getting a group of new partial owners, but it is also the latest music business to be targeting an IPO. Continue Reading