After teasing the new child-centric feature in early September, Rhapsody Kids has officially launched, bringing kid-friendly playlists to its streaming music platform. The new section is available now on Android for any listeners with a Rhapsody or Napster subscription. An iOS version is coming soon. Continue Reading
The major labels have agreed to a new code in France that will enforce more transparency in the online music business. It includes more clarity over how the advances from platforms like YouTube are shared and what the majors’ equity stakes are in digital music services. Continue Reading
DGital Media is expanding its creation capabilities with the launch of a new unit dubbed DGital Media Studios. The division will first be responsible for making content for Fantasy Sports Voices, featuring the fantasy sports talent it secured in partnerships earlier this month. Continue Reading
St. Louis-based pureplay station Our Musical Roots is back on top. After being excluded from consideration last year, both the station and its lead show of the same name were honored with top spots in the 2015 Best of St. Louis Reader’s Choice Poll hosted by the Riverfront Times. Continue Reading
Apple Music is making its debut in China and it’s going for cheap. Listeners in the new market can the same three-month trial membership as the launch countries, but once that ends, the subscription will be just $1.50 a month. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include a new CEO at Cumulus Media and a new COO for 7digital. We also cover a promotion within the digital ranks at Universal and a new hire for Spotify’s Australia/New Zealand team. Continue Reading
Google’s launch event yesterday had some good news on the music side, launching a new piece of home entertainment tech. It’s the Chromecast Audio, a variant of the Chromecast stick specifically designed for streaming audio. This is the latest in Google’s push for a living room takeover. Continue Reading
At RAIN Summit Atlanta yesterday, winners of the 6th Annual 2015 RAIN Internet Radio Awards were announced. Three finalists remained in each of the six award categories, after a panel of 15 unaffiliated judges evaluated audio services, stations, and programs that were submitted by their owners and representatives. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Streaming execs chat at Advertising Week; will Aurous be legit or not?; IAB joining the fight against ad-blockers. Continue Reading
Jazz FM and the BBC are working together to create a pop-up digital radio station called BBC Music Jazz. The two broadcasters are usually competing for ears, and this is their first collaboration. It will air on DAB radio sets, online, and on the iPlayer from Nov. 12-15, the dates for the EFG London Jazz Festival. Continue Reading
Google announced that it will open a family plan for Play Music, with the rollout slated for later this year. How does Google’s offering stack up across the family plans from other streaming platforms? Continue Reading
Apple’s Zane Lowe returned to London to participate in the Radio Academy’s Radio Festival. He engaged in a lively conversation with former boss Ben Cooper, controller for Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra, about the role of Beats 1 in Apple Music, future of music radio, and about the BBC. Continue Reading