Amazon has made its Alexa Skills Blueprints program available to all users, a move that will allow anyone to create and publish content for Alexa-enabled devices. The program has a series of templates for making content available on the voice assistant ecosystem. Continue Reading
Qobuz has launched in the United States, a long-awaited move from the hybrid download and streaming service. The company, based in France, focuses on audio, with a library of 40 million CD quality tracks and millions more that are hi-res. Continue Reading
The NuVoodoo Ratings Prospects Study is sharing its latest statistics about smart speaker ownership and use in an upcoming webinar. The advanced results found that although ownership is still on the rise, people are encountering challenges with the voice assistants, particularly for use with radio. Continue Reading
This month, several podcast companies will unveil their latest show and talent rosters at the Winter Podcast Upfront, scheduled for February 20 at the headquarters of the United Talent Agency. The Beverly Hills event will offer advertisers, agencies, and media a look at the most recent partnerships and developments for seven podcast networks. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio has unveiled a new mobile feature for finding new podcasts. The podcast recommendation engine rolled out to the iOS app this week. The discovery engine relies on past iHeartRadio listening habits in both podcasts and music. Continue Reading
Westwood One has hired John Wordock as its new executive editor of podcasting. Wordock will step into the role beginning February 15. He joins Westwood One from The Wall Street Journal. Continue Reading
ESPN is reinforcing its reputation as a leading audio sports brand by releasing results from the subscription-only Share of Ear survey by Edison Research. The media company’s talk shows, live events, local broadcast radio, and podcasts are responsible for almost half (46%) of all sports radio listenership in the United States in 2018. Continue Reading
Slate has introduced a new service offering members-only listening technology to podcasters. The platform is called Supporting Cast, and it will provide the infrastructure to make members-only versions of podcasts, ones that are ad-free or have bonus content. Continue Reading
Chris Peterson is departing his role as executive vice president of podcasting for iHeartMedia. He joined the conglomerate in November 2016 to lead its podcast efforts and raise iHeart’s profile in that space. Continue Reading
by Jeff Ulster
A guest column by Jeff Ulster, Chief Content and Technology Officer at The Podcast Exchange (TPX), examining the anatomy of podcast measurement. First of two parts. Continue Reading
Slate’s Slow Burn is the latest podcast to make the leap to the small screen. The popular show, which profiled the Watergate scandal and President Richard Nixon’s resignation, has been greenlit for a six-episode adaptation from Epix. Continue Reading
After lots of rumbles and rumors, a seismic change could be on the horizon for the major labels. Vivendi appears to be moving ahead with plans to sell up to a 50% stake in Universal Music Group by the end of 2019. If this sale does happen, it will cause a ripple effect across the music industry. Continue Reading