Quick Hits: Sony’s contract with Spotify; more critiques of safe harbor laws
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Sony/Spotify contract leaked (then removed); another songwriting exec critiques safe harbor laws. Continue Reading
On the Move: Executive shuffles at ASCAP and a new face at Sinfini Music
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. The latest moves: ASCAP appoints Michael Martin to head ASCAP Nashville, while Karen Sherry retires. Sinfini Music also hires a new head of content. Continue Reading
Project Everyone seeks broadcaster support for September global information blast
Project Everyone is a mission-based startup that seeks to propogate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which will be released in September. Part of Project’s plan is to launch Radio Everyone, a seven-day “pop-up” radio venture to educate the world’s entire population about hunger, poverty, and climate change, as aligned with the U.N. initiative. Any broadcaster may participate. Here’s how. Continue Reading
UK’s RAJAR data shows overall radio listening down, but digital rising
The UK’s Radio Joint Audience Research released its data from the first quarter of 2015. The latest information revealed a slight decline in overall radio listening, but posted improvements in the rates of digital radio uptake in the region. The total number of Q1 2015 listeners declined about 50,000 people from the same quarter of 2014. In contrast, digital radio has been consistently increasing its share of listeners, growing from 20.1% in Q1 2009 to 39.6% in Q1 2015. Continue Reading
Sony artist skewers company over SoundCloud takedown
Electronica producer Madeon has been using Twitter this week to jab a sharp stick into his label’s side, over a reported Soundcloud takedown action. The tweet protest illustrates how rights-holder decisions about streaming access to music can conflict with artist values, especially in the EDM category. Continue Reading
As investments pile up, podcasting assumes a new place in audio
Sponsored by PodcastOne
Financial, talent, and product investments are raising podcasts to a new stature in the streaming audio landscape. We review recent investment news, and look at what podcasting might become as the category quickly matures. Podcasting is drawing up a seat to the table. Continue Reading
The new Spotify: Podcasts, video, smart running music, and a new start screen
At today’s Spotify Event, held in the company’s New York office, CEO Daniel Ek and other senior leaders announced and demonstrated new features that will roll out in updated apps starting today. There are three main parts of Spotify’s announcement. “Life with Spotify will never be the same,” CEO Daiel Ek said. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: The Great Escape; ASCAP still fighting Pandora; digital audio ads in the UK; a look at Pakistan’s Patari
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Two streaming talks at The Great Escape; ASCAP not done fighting Pandora; digital audio ads growing slowly in the UK; a profile of Pakistani streaming service Patari. Continue Reading
CEO of UK copyright agency calls for changes to improve streaming for songwriters
Robert Ashcroft, CEO of PRS for Music, spoke about the concerns for UK publishers and songwriters at the performing rights organization’s annual general meeting. His critiques were focused on online platforms that thrive on user-generated content, such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Ashcroft said those services have been unfairly benefiting from safe harbor laws. Continue Reading
MixRadio launches iOS and Android apps; AudioHQ is exclusive ad rep
Until today, MixRadio was available only on Microsoft desktop and mobile platforms. Today, the Internet radio service expands to Android and Apple devices. AudioHQ announced that it has entered into an exclusive ad-repping deal for all U.S. inventory across platforms. Continue Reading
Triton Digital to represent XAPP Ads in JAX advertising service
Triton Digital announced today that it will represent XAPP ad inventory in JAX, the mobile advertising service created in january by XAPPmedia and jācapps, the Jacobs Media app development company. The deal pivots on XAPP technology called XAPP Ads. Continue Reading
Pandora to acquire data company Next Big Sound
Data, and more data. Pandora announced this morning its acquisition of music analytics company Next Big Sound. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Continue Reading