BMW’s chairman announced that the car company will integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into its future models. Speaking at the quarterly earnings report, Harald Krüger said that BMW wanted to balance offering its customers connectivity options while still protecting their privacy. Continue Reading
The UK’s culture minister spoke at Radio’s Digital Countdown about the uptake of DAB receivers in cars. Ed Vaizey reported that 74.1% of new cars now come with DAB receivers as standard. Continue Reading
There have been some rumblings about the streaming industry potentially breaking itself into niche, genre-based offerings. Today, another electronic-centered company has entered the field. Ministry of Sound, a house and dance specialist based in the UK, launched a free streaming app with round-the-clock lean-back programming. Continue Reading
Starting today, Marketron is rolling out its Mediascape Marketplace programmatic ad purchasing solution to 2,900 stations. The company is calling the platform “the first working programmatic exchange for radio.” Continue Reading
BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra announced plans for a new show that takes advantage of the broadcaster’s digital tools. The new Playlist show will air on Radio 1 and will be available for download on the iPlayer Radio app. Continue Reading
Between the livestreams of concerts and hosting exclusive music videos, Tidal has always had a strong visual component and that segment looks to grow. Variety reported that Tidal has ordered two new original series. Continue Reading
Six-month old DGital Media announces today that it is joining with Stand Up NY Labs to create a humor podcast network called Comedy Voices. Adding weight to this initiative, DGital Media has hired John McDermott as VP of Programming for Comedy Voices. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include Spotify poaching country music talent from Sirius XM and a new exec for licensing specialist CueSongs. Continue Reading
Pandora announced today that it will be the “exclusive streaming partner” for the second season of hit podcast Serial. In 2016 the agreement will extend to This American Life, the public radio program which distributes its shows as on-demand podcasts, and which is the creator of Serial. Continue Reading
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: This week’s edition is dominated by RAJAR ratingsof U.K. radio and podcast stories. Also, worlds collide; the ever-controversial Audials, and the Belfast Media Festival. Plus much more. Continue Reading
Rhapsody-owned Napster launched in Canada today. The ad-free premium music service is offering subscriptions costing C$9.99 a month, but it has a launch offer of three months for just C$1. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has launched a new standalone mobile app specifically for audio creators. SoundCloud Pulse helps creators manage their accounts and communities. For now, Pulse is only available on Android, but an iOS version and new features are in the works. Continue Reading