Google is continuing to release new smart speaker designs to keep pace with its top rival, Amazon. The tech giant’s latest device confirms rumors from last month with the unveiling of the Google Home Hub, a speaker with a display screen, a low price point, and an emphasis on privacy. Continue Reading
The IFPI has released its annual music consumer insight report, offering a snapshot at how people listen around the world. The latest analysis confirms several ongoing trends in the music space, including the dominance of streaming, the reliance on mobile devices, and the threats posed by piracy. Continue Reading
Acast announced that it is collaborating with Spotify to create a distribution channel for its podcasts. The deal includes integrations within the Acast Create content management system. Continue Reading
DAX, the digital audio advertising platform for Global, has signed a multi-year deal with online pureplay radio platform AccuRadio. Under the terms of this arrangement, DAX will be the exclusive ad sales partner for AccuRadio in the United States across all national sales channels. Continue Reading
Midroll Media, now a podcast network under E.W. Scripps’ Stitcher brand, has released its podcast listener demographics report for 2018. The company had 205 show hosts ask their audiences to participate in the survey, and this latest iteration included feedback from more than 151,000 listeners between February 2 and October 4, 2017. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has opened up its monetization program to all of its Pro and Pro Unlimited subscribers. When SoundCloud Premier launched in 2014, it was an invite-only program for ad-based monetization. Now, any independent creators in the Pro and Pro Unlimited tiers with eligible content can take advantage of the program. Continue Reading
Facebook is taking its next strides as a burgeoning hardware company with two new products called Portal and Portal+. The device falls in line one of Facebook’s core concepts: helping people keep in touch. Portal is launching with support from several digital entertainment platforms, including streaming music. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: James and other industry leaders ask the pertinent questions about motivation. Why are people working in, or listening to, radio? Continue Reading
Tidal has launched an app for Samsung TV, a first step in an ongoing partnership between the two companies. The app offers a user experience designed for the Samsung TV screen and will prioritize visual content from Tidal. Continue Reading
Spotify’s two co-founders may be planning another sale of their shares in the streaming service. Swedish publication Di Digital cited SEC filings from the start of the month that pointed to another sale from both Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. Continue Reading
Facebook continues to find new ways to encourage its users to take advantage of the social network’s deals with music labels. The latest is an option to add audio tracks to photo and video posts. Continue Reading
Edison Research and Triton Digital have released their Podcast Consumer Canada 2018 report, assessing the audio format’s audience and popularity among Canadian listeners. The analysis reveals familiar trends in terms of who is tuning into podcasts most and what their common behaviors are. Continue Reading