Digital ad revenue for the radio industry increased 11.4% to $550.8 million in 2015. That’s the key takeaway from the latest benchmarking report commissioned by the Radio Advertising Bureau. According to the analysis, the average market cluster saw $961,756 from digital sales during the year. Continue Reading
Sacramento rock fans enjoy a refreshingly uncommercialized option as “The Brew” launches today on 107.1-FM with a 10,000-song commercial-free promotion of its Rock-formatted station. We chatted with Program Director Paul Boris. Continue Reading
Spain’s music market posted a second consecutive year of growth in 2015, according to Spanish industry organization Promusicae. Spending on recorded music last year totaled €160.2 million ($180.4 million), up from €149.9 million in 2014. Of the 2015 total revenue, €64.5 million came from streaming, thanks to a more than 35% increase to paid subscriptions to more than half a million paying customers. Continue Reading
A double dose of financial information emerged around SoundCloud this morning. First, the company’s financial results for 2014 have been filed with UK authorities. Second, those results could mean that the company will be pursuing another fundraising round this year. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Playlist placement isn’t enough; reactions to PRS/PPL joint venture; Adele named #1 by IFPI. Continue Reading
Merlin announced that it is reducing the administration fee for commercial deals. The drop from a 2.5% to a 2% fee marks the fifth reduction in four years for the independent music rights and licensing group. Continue Reading
Apple Music has launched in Taiwan, making the streaming platform now available in 113 countries. Potential new listeners will have a three-month free trial, then will have a monthly subscription fee of NT$150 (about $4.50) or NT$240 for a family plan. Continue Reading
We covered the initial release of RAJAR data about fourth-quarter radio behavior in the UK, but the organization also tracks information about online-focused listening. The Measurement of Internet Delivered Audio Services (MIDAS) data released for autumn 2015 reveals additional insights into online radio and audio habits for UK listeners. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: RAJAR data; Amazon’s radio activities; Imagination Technologies gets a boost; much more. Continue Reading
Not a political article, this guest column from media adviser and author Mark Ramsey is about engagement and 1st-party data gathering. What cad radio learn from Donald Trump? Continue Reading
In a development reminiscent of B-movie science fiction, errors with the Global Positioning System network have created issues in digital radio broadcasts. Listeners in the UK experienced difficulties with receiving DAB signals due to the decommissioning of a GPS satellite on Jan. 26. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include new C-suite announcements from ASCAP and Warner Music Group. Continue Reading