Sony and Tencent team up for electronic music label
Sony Music and Tencent Music have joined forces to launch a music label. Liquid State will focus on electronic and dance music artists both from Asia and across the globe. Continue Reading
Commercial Radio Australia hires new head of digital
Commercial Radio Australia has appointed Jaime Chaux as its new head of digital. In this position, Chaux will develop the industry group’s approach and strategy for the whole digital space, including podcasting and DAB+. He is currently head of Content for PodcastOne Australia. Continue Reading
8tracks introduces audio ads to ease free listening limits
Playlisting service 8tracks has been gradually pivoting its business model over the past year, and has been offering listeners transparency into the decisions every step of the way. The latest move is no different, as the company announced the introduction of audio ads and why they made the move. Continue Reading
audioBoom to launch three new original podcasts in February
audioBoom announced a new wave of original and co-produced podcasts joining its network. The company is also launching second seasons for multiple shows that it debuted last year. Continue Reading
One month of Apple Podcast Analytics: How’s it going?
Apple rolled out the beta version of its hotly-anticipated podcast analytics in December, meaning show producers have had about a month to collect and assess new amounts of data around how their work performs in one of the most important podcast platforms. Wired spoke to several industry leaders about Apple Podcast Analytics, and their early findings support the anecdotal evidence that podcast listeners are indeed deeply engaged with and supportive of their shows. Continue Reading
Cabana adds another female-fronted podcast
AdLarge’s digital audio division, cabana, announced another show joining its roster. One Part Podcast is hosted by Jessica Murnane, who uses the show as a platform to help women to improve their lives. The weekly podcast features conversations with guests such as former boxing champion, author, and fellow podcaster Laila Ali. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio highlights new Justin Timberlake album with All Access preview weekend
iHeartRadio is collaborating with Justin Timberlake for the launch of his latest album this week. The pop performer’s Man of the Woods album debuts on February 2, and iHeartRadio is hosting a special preview both on-air and digitally. Continue Reading
CRB rate increase: not necessarily 44% (a look at Pandora)
As the new Copyright Royalty Board rate ruling sinks in today, we look at how it might affect Pandora. Using the company’s 2017 Annual Report and financials from the most recent earnings report, it becomes clear that the new rates will not apply to most of Pandora’s royalty cost, and that the simple 44% CRB rate hike is actually more complicated … and lower. Continue Reading
PRX announces partnerships with Night Vale Presents and Gen-Z Media
Media company PRX announced new partnerships with two podcasting networks: Gen-Z Media and Night Vale Presents. PRX will provide marketing, ad sales, and technology for the existing and in-development shows at both networks. Gen-Z Media focuses on properties for children, tweens, and families, while Night Vale Presents emphasizes new voices and content that pushes the bounds of the audio format. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio: Scripps – radio out, podcasting in; and triplej’s Hottest 100 shows radio still big for the young
by James Cridland
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Analyzing Scripps’ move to cut radio and focus on podcasts. Other news from the the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and more. Continue Reading
In historic ruling, Copyright Royalty Board dramatically raises royalties for streaming services
The Copyright Royalty Board has announced the new rates for mechanical royalties to be paid by streaming music services. As announced on Jan. 27, streaming platforms will pay out royalties to songwriters and composers as a share of their revenue. By 2022, the share for mechanical royalties will be 15.1% of the streaming platform’s revenue. Read on for the full rate ruling and reactions from both publishers’ and songwriters’ organizations. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: Pandora on voice ads, dissecting “Despacito,” and playlists for puppies
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Pandora exec on voice ads. Why Latin music is having a moment. Playlists for (adoptable) puppies. Continue Reading