In a day loaded with rumors of new ambitions emanating from Apple, comes a report that the company is considering a Netflix-like streaming TV service, and is having discussions with cable giant Comcast about paying for high-quality last-mile streaming into homes. Continue Reading
Apple is reportedly considering launching a subscription music service. If it does, the new service will complement Apple’s two existing music businesses, iTunes Music Store, and iTunes Radio, while adding yet another on-demand music service to the crowded U.S. market. Continue Reading
Weekend Perspective: a quick and concise catch-up of the week’s news. Refresh your neurons for the coming week! ASCAP, Pandora, the growth of streaming music in 2013 representing an increasing portion of the overall music industry. Music service news items. Also, one band’s Spotify scheme. Continue Reading
RAIN Hotspots highlights the five most-read article in the week. This week, 2013 music-business statistics were released, revealing the importance of streaming revenue, and the ASCP vs. Pandora trial generated several points of interest. Continue Reading
Doing some driving this weekend? The right car music can make weekend chores enjoyable. Feel-good, upeat, top-down tunes can evoke a cross-country jaunt even if you’re just going to the store for milk. Or sitting at your desk, if your imagination is vivid enough. This is caffeine-substitute music, good for anytime you need a strong, uplifting beat. Continue Reading
Music licensing is a mess — few people or companies would disagree. The copyright arm of the U.S. government is thinking about change. As part of the process, the U.S. Copyright Office is initiating a Music Licensing Study, and seeks comments. If the Copyright Act is headed for reform, this is the webcaster’s opportunity to be part of the process. Continue Reading
Bloomberg reports that Beats Music disclosed sign-up numbers to its private investors in February, and that the subscription-only service attracted paid users at an average of 1,000 per day for the first month. The online jukebox service launched on January 20, and enjoys the advantage of bundling with AT&T smartphone plans. Continue Reading
We received strong interest in our latest RAIN Poll, which asked readers to pick their preferred home listening device(s). In addition to the votes, this poll attracted an unprecedented number of comments, as readers were motivated to describe (and brag about?) their home-listening rigs. Streaming in general led the field. Continue Reading
RAIN Summit West, an educational and networking conference co-located with the NAB Show, is providing a $100 discount on an NAB Show SMART Pass or Conference Flex Pass to RAIN registrants. Alternatively, a free NAB Show exhibit-only pass is available to RAIN attendees. Continue Reading
In November we reported that Turntable.FM, the venerable group-listening service, shifted course, closing its group-listening virtual rooms and starting a concert-streaming service. Now, founder Billy Chasen announces that Turntable Live shut down in January, her has moved on to another startup, and Turntable.FM is officially closed. Continue Reading
The court decision in the ASCAP vs. Pandora royalty-rate trial was released this morning. In the lengthy court document, presiding federal judge Denise Cote explains how ASCAP failed to achieve the escalated royalty rates it sought on behalf of its client publishers and composers. “ASCAP has not carried its burden.” Continue Reading
NCAA basketball and March Madness fans will not be tethered to broadcast this year. TuneIn announced an expanded partnership with WestwoodOne to carry live coverage of the Division 1 Men’s Basketball Champioship. The deal includes full play-by-play of all 67 games, plus the Women’s Final Four. Continue Reading