RAIN News

Rumor Fact(ory): Music Key changes and trouble possibly brewing at YouTube

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Anna Washenko

We learned recently that the official YouTube Music Key launch has been postponed, and two new rumors circulating about the popular video platform could provide some insight as to why. First, there has been speculation that YouTube is aiming to make Music Key part of a bigger subscription video service, positioning it as a rival to Netflix and Hulu as well as to music-centric streaming platforms. The second rumor is that music labels may be questioning the current status quo of YouTube’s ad-supported model. Continue Reading →

Quick Hits: A Spotify tweet; refuting Neil Young; Apple Music ads

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Brad Hill

Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. TODAY: Spotify’s tweet sets calculators going; commentary on Neil Young; Apple Music commercials. Continue Reading →

Finland’s H1 2015 sees ad-supported streaming decline while subscriptions rise

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Anna Washenko

The IFPI has another half-year report, this one from its Finnish branch. Total recorded music revenue increased 0.5% for the first half in Finland for a total of €15.12 million. Subscription streaming posted the most growth, up 39.9% to €8.95 million. Continue Reading →

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The Download on Podcasts: The complexity of native advertising in public radio podcasts

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Brad Hill

The Download on Podcasts is a weekly feature sponsored by PodcastOne.

It seems simple in podcasting. The host reads and riffs on a sponsorship message, both elucidating major product points and offering personalization that could extend to a personal endorsement. Sounds a lot like what terrestrial radio has been doing for decades. It gets more complicated with public radio, though.

Continue Reading →

Scripps acquires podcast ad network Midroll Media

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Brad Hill

Media powerhouse E.W. Scripps has just announced that it has acquired Midroll Media, parent company of Earwolf, Wolfpit, and Midroll. Midroll Media is a podcast ad network that sells across a portfolio of 200 home-grown and externally produced on-demand audio programs. Continue Reading →

Apple earnings call shares enthusiasm but few numbers about Apple Music

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Apple hosted a conference call to discuss its quarterly earnings this week, and the talk briefly touched on Apple Music. The tech company’s top brass didn’t reveal many hard numbers about the streaming platform’s first weeks. CEO Tim Cook said that “millions and millions” of consumers are enrolled in free trials and added that Apple is “thrilled about the response” to the service. Continue Reading →

Norway posts H1 2015 results, with growth in streaming and vinyl

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Anna Washenko

IFPI Norway has released its data on the domestic music industry for the first half of 2015. Music sales for the country increased 6.5% during the period. Streaming showed healthy growth, and revenue from those platforms accounted for as much… Continue Reading →

New partnership brings Beatport exclusives to Spotify

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Anna Washenko

SFX Entertainment has entered into a partnership with Spotify. This new arrangement will bring music and video content from Beatport to Spotify’s streaming service. Brand new Beatport CEO Greg Consiglio said that the company is in the midst of building out new content partnerships with other distribution channels, but Spotify is the only one that will get access to Beatport’s new music exclusives. Continue Reading →

Rhapsody and Napster now have 3 million subscribers

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Rhapsody and Napster have reached the 3 million subscriber milestone. It has been a year of fast growth for the streaming services, which announced 2.5 million listeners in February and 2 million listeners last July. Continue Reading →

Streaming music’s quest for the magical, mythical mixtape

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Brad Hill

Spotify’s newest product, the Discover Weekly playlist, is streaming’s latest attempt at perfect music programming. What is perfect programming? The mixtape metaphor is often invoked. Can data or humans best create the perfect listening experience? Continue Reading →

James Cridland’s Weekly Links: BBC app review; radio & podcasting; much more

Posted on July 21, 2015 by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: James’ review of the new BBC iPlayer Radio app; how radio can intersect podcasting; changes at CBS Radio Continue Reading →

SFX restructures, appoints new Beatport CEO

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Anna Washenko

SFX Entertainment is reorganizing its leadership, a move that will see a new CEO overseeing EDM project Beatport. Greg Consiglio will serve as president and CEO for the online store and streaming service. According to the press release, the structural changes were made so SFX can focus on brand-level operations. Continue Reading →