The early buzz about Apple’s redesigned take on Beats Music was that the service would have no free listening options. That made sense, especially with the ensuing rumors that Apple was potentially pushing for other streaming platforms to eliminate their freemium tiers. According to the latest reports from Re/Code, though, the no-free-listening approach may have a few exceptions. Continue Reading
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Apple rumors; Spotify gets richer; Grooveshark goes down in deep water; Pandora in the FM business; no streaming in the Vermont State House. Continue Reading
Spotify’s 2014 earnings include higher revenue, and wider losses, compared to a year ago. The financial news is coupled with rumors of a new angle for Spotify’s business — video. Continue Reading
This was an eventful week, and RAIN News readers told us, through their article choices, what the most important topics were. Call it RAIN News “Share of Eye.” Continue Reading
Rhapsody posted a first-quarter net loss of $8.9 million, compared with a loss of $1.6 million in the year-ago period. Quarterly revenue totaled $46.3 million, up from $42 million in 2014. The SEC filing made by parent company RealNetworks, which detailed Rhapsody’s financials, did not give a reason for the higher loss during the quarter. Continue Reading
In the UK last year, advertising revenue on commercial radio grew 7.2% in 2014, while in the US it shrank 1%. According to an article by Lucy Barrett at UK’s RAB, radio in that country is alive and well and thriving across all it’s platforms. Continue Reading
SoundExchange announced that David Byrne has joined its board of directors. Byrne fills the board spot previously held by Walter McDonough. He is the singer/songwriter who fronted the Talking Heads, and also embarked on a solo career and founded a label. Continue Reading
In a slow-moving patent lawsuit about the right to use HD Radio technology, defending radio groups have been dismissed from the case. the case dismissal was ordered “with prejudice,” meaning that it cannot be re-introduced. Continue Reading
The Canadian government recently extended the term of copyright for sound recordings from 50 years to 70. However, CISAC is seeking even more drastic action in Canada’s rules to offer more support for compositions after death. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. Continue Reading
Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ got attention last month when it received a matching-donation pledge of $2-million dollars from the Pritzker Foundation. The intent of the gift is to help the station to double its existing digital staff, update its infrastructure, and produce new shows. A new Chief Digital Officer has just joined the station. Continue Reading
SoundCloud had two major events in its relationship development with labels and publishers. The online audio platform successfully inked a deal with the National Music Publishers’ Association. This arrangement allows independent publishers and composers to monetize content on the service… Continue Reading