Quick Hits: Saavn profile; Big Machine’s streaming plans
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Up close and personal with Saavn. Behind the scenes with Big Machine’s streaming plan. Continue Reading
Bulgaria begins tests with DAB+
Bulgaria is beginning its first trials of DAB+ digital broadcasting. The country’s Communications Regulation Commission has issued a trial license to EF DIP Treiding for transmitting DAB/DAB+ radio in Sofia. Continue Reading
Dave and Patty Newmark launch podcast discovery platform PodSearch
We received a note from Patty Newmark, who with her husband Dave runs Newmark Advertising, that they have launched a new podcast discovery platform called PodSearch. PodSearch is described as “an interactive directory for podcasts, giving people easy-to- use keyword and category search tools to find podcasts that match their interests.” Continue Reading
Podtrac April 2017: S-Town takes the crown, boosts Serial among publishers
Podtrac has posted its April 2017 rankings of the top podcasts and podcast publishers. The new hit from Serial Productions, S-Town, took the top spot on the list of podcasts. That performance helped boost This American Life/Serial to No. 2 on the publisher list. Continue Reading
Survey: Many podcast listeners are switching away from radio
At the recent Worldwide Radio Summit, radio marketing and research company Nuvoodoo presented new research on podcasting. The company has shared data from two recent surveys about podcast listenership. For the overall population, 9.5% of respondents spend at least one hour a day listening to podcasts. Continue Reading
Universal Music Group parent company reportedly considering IPO
Universal Music Group could see an initial public offering if the music industry financials continue to improve. The label is owned by Vivendi, a Paris-based media conglomerate, and the parent company is considering floating a minority stake in its music business. Continue Reading
Gen-Z: The YouTube generation that can’t live without it
A new survey from AdWeek measures youth attachment to YouTube in a more dramatic light: 50% of Gen-Z respondents (from a survey field of 1,500) said they “could not live without” YouTube. Nearly all respondents (95%) use YouTube to some extent. Gen-Z’ers are just starting to emerge into the adult marketplace, unfamiliar with non-digital life and paying for daily media content. Continue Reading
NBA team launches online radio for community-building
An NBA team is making waves among fans and audio experts with its own online radio station. The Golden State Warriors has run the Warriors Sound online radio channel for two years now. Its programming includes a prerecorded mix of interviews, audio documentaries, historical retrospectives, and some music as suggested by the team’s community. Continue Reading
Apple Music reportedly charging for ‘free’ trial in some countries
Apple is reportedly now charging listeners in some markets for what was previously a completely free trial of its streaming music service. According to AppleInsider, people in Australia, Spain, and Switzerland will be charged 99 cents for three months of preliminary access to the Apple Music platform. Continue Reading
Personnel changes at Spotify: M&A is in, product director is out
Spotify has announced two changes to its team. First, it has hired M&A specialist Sheila Spence. The other personnel change is the departure of product director Matthew Ogle. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio: The biggest streaming radio event in the world; studio rules in the US; new RAJAR figures in the UK
by James Cridland
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: A look at one of radio’s biggest events. RAJAR results for Q1. United States radio rules. Much more. Continue Reading
Spotify steps more broadly into programmatic advertising
This week, Spotify announced that it is now testing open exchanges for real-time buying for its audio inventory. The streaming company will be working with select SSP and DSP partners for this latest effort in programmatic advertising. Continue Reading