Spotify has signed a global content deal with Indian entertainment firm T-Series. Under the terms of the agreement, Spotify’s audience will be granted access to T-Series’ entire music library, which includes Bollywood soundtracks and music from emerging artists. Continue Reading
Vevo has upped JP Evangelista to the role of senior vice president of content, programming and marketing. He will spearhead the company’s strategy for official music video releases, original content creation, and other global programming efforts in this expanded role. Continue Reading
In a gleaming example of a podcast crossing over to another media category, radio/TV comedian and correspondent Mo Rocca is launching complementary products under a new Mobituaries brand. It is a podcast + book arrangement lasting through 2019 or longer. Continue Reading
Amplifi Media CEO Steve Goldstein comes back from CES with a review. of podcasting and smart speakers. More about smart speakers tomorrow from the Amplifi Media founder, plus connected cars. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Reflecting on resolutions, an SCA exec departs, and a good use of social media for radio. Continue Reading
Westwood One is announcing the broadcast launch of The Ben Shapiro Show on over 150 radio stations across eight of the top 10 markets. This is significant because The Ben Shapiro Show is a popular conservative talk podcast that has lifted Shapiro to fame as a right-side audio authority. The advertising structure is particularly interesting. Continue Reading
Tencent is reportedly preparing to launch a new voice-activated digital assistant for the popular WeChat app. Bloomberg reported that the upcoming assistant is named Xiaowei and will help the more than a billion users of the messaging app with simple tasks. Continue Reading
The week is kicking off with a pair of updates for the Apple HomePod. First, the smart speaker’s international footprint is growing. Second is a shift in how many places the same Apple Music account can be playing. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia has chosen Panoply’s Megaphone platform to distribute select shows from its iHeartPodcast Network. As a Megaphone client, iHeartMedia will receive tools for publishing, dynamic ad insertion, ad operations, campaign management, reporting, and analytics. Continue Reading
Musonomics, a consulting and analytics firm for the music industry, has released a report about the operational changes undergone by music labels in the streaming era. It is authored by Musonomics founder Larry Miller and commissioned by the RIAA. Continue Reading
Apple Music has entered a partnership with the Sunderland AFC, a UK football club. (That’s soccer team to our fellow Americans.) As the exclusive streaming music partner for Sunderland, fans will be able to listen to player-curated playlists within the music platform and on the team’s website. Continue Reading
Google has discontinued the Chromecast Audio. A representative from Google confirmed that the specialized device, which streams audio from a mobile device or PC to a home speaker, will no longer be produced. However, Google will continue to provide support for Chromecast Audio owners. Continue Reading