2014 Predictions
Happy New Year! One easy prediction is this: 2014 will be an eventful year for all stakeholders in broadcast and Internet radio. RAIN is pleased to present predictions from thought-leading guest futurists. Continue Reading
Winamp and Shoutcast find a home: Radionomy
AOL-owned (but not for long) Winamp and Shoutcast are reportedly being acquired by online streaming platform Radionomy. A clearly synergistic acquisition if true. In ShoutCast, Radionomy would be obtaining one of the largest self-serve streaming audio platforms, adding 50,000 stations to its home-grown portfolio of 7,000 stations. Continue Reading
Google and Audi prepare connected-car partnership announcement
Google and Audi will announce a tech/auto partnership at CES next week. Google is squaring off against Apple’s “iOS in the Car” program announced last summer. Car companies are flocking to CES, a trend that represents the re-invention of the automobile as a mobile device. Continue Reading
Samsung M5 joins lower-cost wireless speaker category
WiFi speakers arguably replace home radios except in one aspect: price. Wireless-enable speakers cost hundreds of dollars each. Samsung feels our pain, and has announced a younger sibling to its Shape M7 wireless, 400-dollar, Internet-enabled speaker. Continue Reading
Pureplay of the Day: Golden Hits Radio
It’s New Year’s Eve, and the question is this: Look back, or look forward? Sentiment or anticipation? The station was founded by Ron Lisk, who nurtured a lifelong love of radio and classic rock in college and with an indie low-power station before webcasting came along. Continue Reading
New speakers added to RAIN Summit NYC lineup
On February 5, RAIN Summit NYC – Pureplays and Podcasts will be hosted by RAIN Enterprises CEO Jennifer Lane and founding editor Kurt Hanson. The event will take place at WNYC’s The Greene Space in downtown Manhattan. Continue Reading
Radio stocks (and Pandora) wrapping up a good year
Radio stocks did well this year, notching double- or triple-digit growth in 2013. Gains far surpassed the S&P 500, which itself enjoyed 20-percent growth. We put a radio-stock basket against the S&P index, and also against Pandora for a graphic look at a banner 2013 for radio and Internet radio brands. Continue Reading
Storyline 2013: Nielsen, Arbitron, and the ratings jigsaw puzzle
When Nielsen acquired Arbitron in September, visions of unification sprang into the minds of observers. Among Internet brands, Pandora arguably has the most to gain by holistic audience measurement. But as lean-back listening is more emphasized in Spotify, Rhapsody, and iTunes, many stakeholders want change in 2014. Continue Reading
Mercedes-Benz integrates smartwatch functions in connected cars
Pebble is a wrist-wearable mobile device running its own operating system that invites developers to create custom applications. The Mercedes/Pebble app is marketed as a general information assistant, checking car diagnostics and warning of bad traffic while driving. Infotainment options come into the picture with the Pebble’s buttons. Continue Reading
Rdio unplugs Vdio
“We have decided to discontinue the Vdio beta service.” That abrupt announcement greets visitors to Vdio.com, Rdio’s once-sister service that sought to be a distribution site for movies in the Netflix-Hulu-iTunes-Amazon space. Rdio’s portfolio adjustment seems to be a case of trimming its sails and consolidating its bets. Continue Reading
Pureplay of the Day: SalsaMexico
Going for purity in today’s Pureplay, we suggest the energetic, multi-rhythmic, authentic Mexican sounds of SalsaMexico. Brassy, percussive, skirt-swirling tracks will have you shimmying at your desk if you’re working this week. Ray Perez, Gelberto Santa Rosa, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Impact Crea, and much more. Continue Reading
Storyline 2013: Royalty Rumblings
2013 was the year in which music royalties were lifted from the realm of legal arcana, and placed in public consciousness. Along with that, the related issue of musicians’ livelihood was insistently inserted into the online conversation. A U.S. lawmaker introduced a new royalty regulation bill. Radio and label groups cut new deals. And Pandora shifted focus. Continue Reading