the five most-read articles of the week. Apple updates is podcast app with Siri, with uneven results … A new study provides interesting analysis of streaming music business drivers … Canada sets royalty rates for non-interactive streaming … Spotify at 10-million subscribers … digital magic from a syndicated radio show. Continue Reading
Guest columnist James Cridland writes about a fascinating broadcast/digital crossover, in which an award-winning British breakfast show, which simulcasts to several music-genre webcast streams, now can insert music of the proper genre into each stream. Click to read about how it works. Continue Reading
Public Radio International announced the launch of SoundWorks from PRI, a curated collection of new podcasts featuring “unique voices focused on the issues that shape both daily life and international trends.” Four programs are included in the inauguration of the website. Continue Reading
A global music trade organization representing independent musicians, reportedly issued (then removed) a public complaint and threat during negotiations with Google about a yet-to-be-launched YouTube music service. The publicity around this outburst further legitimizes rumors that YouTube is setting the stage for a dedicated music service, and also purportedly shines light on Google’s aggressive negotiations. Continue Reading
Facebook has announced a new feature in upcoming app releases that works by identifying music playing in the user’s location, and including a 30-second clip in Facebook posts. Shazam and SoundHound, market leaders for song recognition, are probably not over the moon about this incursion. Continue Reading
This week WMVY, a radio institution on Martha’s Vineyard, turned on the transmitter at the station’s new frequency, 88.7 FM, returning to the airwaves after a year-and-a-half absence. The milestone provided a second bookend to a storied broadcast/digital history that recently saw listeners raise over $600,000 to keep the station going, and its staff intact. Continue Reading
LyricFind, founded in 2004 and the leading database and licensing resource for song lyrics, announced an exclusive business relationship with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). In the deal, LyricFind becomes the exclusive third-party administrator of licenses for UMPG lyrics. Continue Reading
British music service Bloom.FM has failed to lock in new investment, and is unplugging for good. It’s a story we have been following closely, notable for its quick ups and downs, and the incisive commentary of the company CEO. “Legal music needs to be more affordable,” Bloom’s official announcement concluded. Continue Reading
As the supposed Apple acquisition of Beats Electronics is taking longer than expected, the industry needed a fresh rumor to chew on. Here it is: Twitter might buy SoundCloud. It’s natural that SoundCloud would seek major partnership — and, at the same time, provide a profitable exit for its investors. The acquisition would leverage a couple of intersecting values and needs Continue Reading
It’s not every day (or week, or month, or quarter) that Spotify releases audience metrics. The company saves it up for big milestones. Today the company unleashed an important one: the on-demand music service has 10-million paying subscribers. In a celebratory playlist, there is a hidden message. Continue Reading
In 2009, the Vodafone Big Top 40 launched a real-time chart, using iTunes sales statistics alongside radio airplay to produce a more “live” chart. The show has 2.4 million listeners, making it the biggest show on commercial radio in the U.K. James Cridland notes the upcoming addition of digital sources in creating this important chart. Continue Reading
Radionomy, the Internet radio creation platform, has linked up with BRS Media, the official dot-FM and dot-AM domain registrar, to make acquiring a domain and starting an Internet station a one-stop process. The distribution aspect of this agreement benefits both companies, while streamlining things for users. Continue Reading