adStream is an ad-watch journal of interesting commercial sightings in streaming audio.
Spotify Free, the sometimes controversial ad-supported music service, advertises Spotify Premium in an interesting way: when the listener watches a 30-second commercial, the next 30 minutes are ad-free. Continue Reading
David Goldberg, an Internet radio pioneer who founded LAUNCHcast in 1999, which became Yahoo! Music Radio, died unexpectedly Friday night. He was 47 years old. No cause of death has been disclosed. He is remembered as a wonderful man. His keynote speech at a 2005 RAIN Summit was prescient. Continue Reading
In what should be placed firmly in the rumor folder, technology site The Verge is reporting that Apple is pressuring music labels in their Spotify negotiations, and the U.S. Department of Justice is monitoring the situation. Continue Reading
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: New apps; DAB growth in Europe; what are the ingredients of radio talent?; Apple poaches more UK radio resources; much more. Continue Reading
In a quarterly earnings call, Radio One executives Alfred Liggins (CEO) and Peter Thompson (CFO) answered analysts’ questions about digital audio and programmatic advertising. The discussion highlited the increasing importance of digital ad-selling to radio investors. Continue Reading
In this third part of a four-part series, Edison Research President Larry Rosin analyzes the reasons why radio simulcasts do not compete effectively with other streaming choices. Continue Reading
We reported on Monday that Grooveshark was facing potentially immense financial damages judgment in its drawn-out copyright infringement trial with record labels. That particular threat appears to be neutralized in a settlement which includes the final closure of Grooveshark.com, the service, and a handover of all company assets. Continue Reading
Rumor (and more rumor) has turned to apparent fact, as CNBC is reporting that Spotify has raised a new funding round of at least $350-million, led by Goldman Sachs. The funding round closed on a “first close” basis, so new investors may yet join. Continue Reading
After a round of user and venue testing, CrowdTunes announced its launch today. The crowd-controlled streaming service, which is designed for public venues like bars and restaurants, is powered by U.K.-based technology provider 7digital. Continue Reading
This week’s earnings report from iHeartMedia encompassed financial results and strategic updates ranging across the many dimensions of a media conglomerate. Within that scope, Richard Bressler (President, COO, and CFO) landed on topics of particular pertinence to online audio. Continue Reading
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Copyright chief wants radio to pay; Copyright Royalty Board starts a music licensing trial; Sirius XM earnings; Pandora earnings; something new for podcasting. Continue Reading
A two-year music copyright review ended yesterday, when Copyright Office chief Maria Pallante criticized terrestrial radio’s performance royalty exemption as “indefensible,” and called for change. Continue Reading