Apple has reduced the prices for its HomePod smart speaker in several markets. For the U.S., the cost has been cut from $349 to $299. It’s unclear whether this adjustment may pave the way for a future new product launch or if it’s a response to market trends. Continue Reading
Speaker company Sonos announced that it has hired Brittany Bagley as its new chief financial officer. Bagley has already served on the firm’s board of directors for two years, but will step away with her new appointment. Continue Reading
In light of the recent IFPI global industry report, MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan explores several of the trends that may be adapting and altering the music industry in the future. Continue Reading
Sirius XM and Pandora have launched their first cross-platform collaboration since the satellite radio company acquired the online audio platform in September. The new interactive channel, called Pandora NOW, will be available on both of the audio services starting today. Continue Reading
Red Bull is shuttering two of its music operations. Both Red Bull Music Academy and Red Bull Radio will close as a result of structural changes in the energy drink company, which has also built a parallel reputation as a lifestyle and culture brand. Continue Reading
Audioboom, which trades on the London stock exchange, filed an optional quarterly earnings update (formally called a “Trading Update”) to publicize eye-popping year-over-year financial performance. In Q1 2019 the London-HQ’d Audioboom earned U.S. $4.6-million, up 180% from the Q1 2018… Continue Reading
The Google Assistant voice AI platform has introduced two developments this week. First, it is adding a new tool for voice-driven shopping. Second, it’s getting a new sound with its first celebrity cameo. Continue Reading
Edison Research has released a teaser for the next annual installment of its Share of Ear investigation into U.S. audio consumption. The company published a slide from its upcoming 2019 report tracing growth in Internet-delivered audio. Continue Reading
The Australian Recording Industry Association has published its year-end results from 2018. The trade body saw wholesale revenue in the country grow 12.3% to A$526.1 million last year, compared with A$468.7 million. As with so many annual reports around the world, streaming was a key contributor to the increasing revenue. Continue Reading
Zeno Media has entered a partnership with the BTC Bahamas telecom for a new app called BTC Radio. The two parties will launch the first mobile carrier supported audio streaming radio app for the region, including exclusive radio content from the Bahamas, Haiti, and Jamaica. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia filed for an initial public offering today, marking a big financial move for an audio conglomerate that is emerging from bankruptcy. The filing signals the end of an era for iHeartMedia, which has been under private ownership for more than a decade. Continue Reading
The report found that the global recorded music market reached revenue of $19.1 billion. That figure grew 9.7% over 2018, marking a fourth consecutive year of growth and the highest rate since the IFPI began tracking the metric in 1997. Digital sources accounted for 58.9% of the international total, or $11.2 billion. It was the first year that digital formats surpassed $10 billion in revenue. Continue Reading