The latest RAJAR data shows continued growth for UK digital radio in the second quarter. Fifty-nine percent of the population tunes in to digital radio each week, up from 57% in the first quarter of this year. The share of all radio on digital platforms rose for yet another quarter to reach 45.3%. Continue Reading
Spotify has launched a new personalized playlist feature, Release Radar, which appears in every user’s Browse section. Release Radar is Spotify’s first expansion of the technology which powers Discover Weekly, an unquestionable hit with users and a triumph of algorithmic music curation. RAIN’s Anna Washenko and Brad Hill take Release Radar for a spin, and share their impressions. Continue Reading
In a recent advertising conference, one head of creative services warned that programmatic advertising could kill podcasting. Right or wrong? There are several points to argue against the dire prediction. Continue Reading
Japan is getting another streaming platform. Rakuten Music is the newest release from ecommerce business Rakuten, and it aims to be a “one-stop music service.” The mobile service offers a library of 3 million items and includes product placement for CDs and music DVDs/Blu-Rays sold through Rakuten Books. Continue Reading
The Electronic Frontier Foundation may return to court for its case against Personal Audio over podcasting patents. Personal Audio has since filed an appeal of the decision, and the EFF is trying to confirm its ability to participate in that appeal. Continue Reading
It’s official. The Department of Justice has released the final ruling for its review of performing rights organization consent decrees, which includes “full-works licensing” and prohibits withdrawal of digital rights from bundled licenses. Both ASCAP and BMI are already mounting their responses. Continue Reading
Indian streaming service Saavn announced the original programming roster that it will debut this month and next. The shows include Film Companion with Anupama Chopra and #NoFilter Neha hosted by Neha Dhupia. Both are long-form audio/talk shows. Continue Reading
Today brings an announcement that the Apple Music’s Android app has emerged from beta. We hoped (unrealistically) that the official Android app might give us a glimpse of a redesign, which has been pre-announced for the fall. No joy on that point. And other bumps. Continue Reading
The latest quarterly earnings release is from Warner Music Group, and streaming revenue continues to be a standout for the label. “Streaming revenue for the quarter was about double the size of download revenue, and was meaningfully larger than physical revenue,” CEO Steve Cooper said. Continue Reading
SESAC and Swiss collecting society SUISA have collaborated on a new joint venture in licensing and rights administration for digital music services. Mint Digital Licensing is a multi-territory platform that will issue single source licenses for the reproduction, distribution, and performance rights for the combined groups’ catalogs. Continue Reading
Podcasting is the hot audio category, and podcast measurement is its most important issue. Omny Studio and RAIN News are partnering to produce a free webinar: Beyond the Download: A Deeper Understanding of Podcast Listening. Register now for Tuesday, August 16 at 4pm EDT. the illuminating session will be presented by Matt Saraceni, Head of Content at Omny Studio. Continue Reading
Lots of people like to listen to music while drifting off to sleep, but headphones in bed aren’t the most comfortable choice. This situation was the inspiration for a streaming music pillow. Yes, you read that correctly. Continue Reading