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Kurt Hanson’s AccuRadio raises $2.5-million funding

Posted on by Brad Hill

Internet radio pioneer AccuRadio announced a $2.5-million investment from NantWorks LLC, headed by entrepreneur Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. AccuRadio was founded by CEO Kurt Hanson, also RAIN News Founding Editor. Kurt Hanson began building AccuRadio in 2000. It was an experiment first, and became a hardy first-mover in what has evolved into a crowded field littered with music services that did not survive. Today’s press release notes that AccuRadio operates profitably. Continue Reading →

Garth Brooks launches digital music store GhostTunes.com

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Country sensation Garth Brooks took his first baby step into the digital realm in July, but today he announced the beta launch of an entirely new online music service. It’s called GhostTunes.com. The focus with this platform is control for the musicians, but listeners will also have several options for how to enjoy their purchases. Continue Reading →

Forbes predicts 120 million active users for Pandora within six years; could it happen?

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Forbes published an article with predictions about Pandora’s audience base, estimating that its number of active users would grow from 76.2 million in 2013 to almost 120 million during the next five or six years. That’s a bold prediction, especially considering that Pandora actually posted a small dip in monthly active users in its second-quarter conference call. The expectation is based on projections for smartphone growth and connected cars, as well as a presumption that Pandora will expand internationally. Continue Reading →

Rdio 3.0 launches, emphasizing ad-supported online radio

Posted on by Brad Hill

In a culmination of recent business developments, music service Rdio updated its apps and refocused its experience to emphasize free, ad-supported listening as a complement to its on-demand subscription service. The revised product line fulfills Rdio’s promise to open an ad-supported, free-listening line of business, as expressed by parent-company Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey in an April earnings call. We tested the iPod/iPhone app. Continue Reading →

Universal makes good on plans to put its catalog online

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Universal Music Publishing Group has followed through on the plans it made earlier this summer to list its catalog online. For starters, the online Song List only includes the portions of its catalog written by members of the ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC performing rights organizations. The company plans to expand the list over time. Continue Reading →

Triton Digital launches Triton Advertising Platform, combining inventory management with audience data

Posted on by Brad Hill

Triton Digital today announced a new and proprietory ad management program whose key features are inventory manasgement matched to audience data. Called the Triton Advertising Platform (Tap), the product monetizes streams in two flavors: traditional linear streams of broadcasters (“Tap Live”) and pureplay audio publishers (Tap OnDemand). Better audience targeting is a clear emphasis. Continue Reading →