On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include a digital strategy hire at UMG, plus a new advisor for Revolver Podcasts and a new director at the NMPA. Continue Reading
Children and family programming has been an area of interest for streaming services, and Spotify is the latest to add that content into its audio offerings. The new section under its Genres & Moods section features playlists made in-house as well as by Walt Disney Records and other children’s companies. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: A hi-fi streaming survey. Questioning the BBC and surveillance. Much more news from the U.S. the UK, Australia, and elsewhere. Continue Reading
President Barack Obama has released his summer playlists on Spotify. In what has become a fascinating annual tradition, POTUS gives a sneak peek at what’s playing in his headphones. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Spotify gets animated with first original video; interview with the hip-hop curator; new gaming playlists. Continue Reading
Guest columnist David Porter, Founder and CEO of 8tracks, looks back at eight years of developing the platform. It’s a mix of challenges and triumphs. “Internet radio could well become the most ubiquitous form of media mankind has known.” Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Extensive analysis of the RAJAR data. Millennials’ affinities for podcasting and radio. Much, much more. Continue Reading
Apple Music is slated to get exclusive access to two upcoming releases. Pop singer Britney Spears will make her album Glory an Apple exclusive when it drops on Aug. 26. It is her first project since 2013. R&B singer Frank Ocean is also going to have an Apple Music exclusive, but the release date is much murkier. Continue Reading
ART19, a San Francisco-based podcast host, distributor, and monetization platform, officially launches today after eight months of technology development and partnership formation. Launch partners include Midroll Media), DGital Media, and Wondery. The platform offers technology designed to advance the podcast advertising business. We spoke with co-founder Sean Carr. Continue Reading
Sirius XM held its Q2 earnings call last week, and investors pursued two lines of questioning about Pandora. First as a potential acquisition, thanks to a recent revelation that Liberty Media, parent company of Sirius XM, had made an offer to Pandora. Second as a potential threat to Sirius XM’s business. CEO james E. Meyer addressed both points. PLUS, more from the call. Continue Reading
Often the most interesting parts of an earnings call are beyond the numbers, especially in the investor Q&A which follows the prepared statements. We took a deep dive into the unscripted portions of last week’s Pandora Q2 results. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Steve Goldstein talks podcast run times. Also features about programming, advertising, and the state of media. Continue Reading