Chris Harrison has left his position as senior lawyer and vice president of business affairs at Pandora. He was a key player in several of Pandora’s recent moves, including its purchase of a terrestrial radio station. He also served as an expert witness in this spring’s consent decree hearings and additional proceedings on music royalties in pre-1972 copyright cases. Continue Reading
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: RAJAR releases U.K. radio metrics, including online and DAB digital. Continue Reading
Apple has filed a patent application for a concept of gifting “digital mixed tapes” that could be a future addition to its music department. The application suggests a system for creating customized complication albums and then gifting them to another person. These albums could include some unique features, such as revealing a track’s title only as it is played or limiting the ability to fast forward. The patent also suggests options for incorporating multimedia content to the audio experience. Continue Reading
As Pandora approaches its 10-year anniversary, the online radio company is launching a new campaign for brand awareness that loops in a surprising media source: TV. The new video ad is already out online, but it will move to broadcast television in the fall. Continue Reading
Apple Music has entered into a deal with an Australian telecom company to offer a 12-month free trial of the streaming service as part of a mobile bundle. Apple Music has also signed with AMRA, the digital collections society owned by Kobalt. There are also rumors of Beats 1 producing more video content. Continue Reading
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Listening of coffe shops; research from NPR; international links. Continue Reading
David Byrne has taken on more responsibility in lobbying for change in the music world after joining the board of SoundExchange. On Sunday, the former Talking Head penned an op-ed in The New York Times about the music industry’s finances, recommending greater transparency as a path to more success for all parties. Continue Reading
In this week’s earning call (see RAIN News coverage here), Sirius XM CEO James Meyer and CFO David Frear answered investor questions about connected cars, online streaming, and the recently settled pre-1972 lawsuits. Continue Reading
In an unexpected announcement by NextRadio that will be greeted warmly by all advocates of FM reception in smartphones, AT&T has added FM chip activation to the specification list that it gives OEM phone makers. This development carries a hopeful message to Emmis-owned NextRadio, and the stations which participate in that app. Continue Reading
Apple Music has reportedly signed up more than 10 million people in its first month. The data point comes from Hits, which credited unnamed sources from major labels. Apple Music is still in its free trial stage for any listeners, so these alleged millions haven’t yet paid for the service. Continue Reading
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: James’ review of the new BBC iPlayer Radio app; how radio can intersect podcasting; changes at CBS Radio Continue Reading
Another chapter in the saga between Sirius XM and Flo & Eddie has unfolded and potentially concluded. Following the satellite radio company’s settlement with the RIAA for $210 million in royalties for playing songs recorded before federal copyright law took effect, the former Turtles members tried to argue that the settlement would impede its class action efforts against Sirius. The duo made an effort to change the settlement payout, but yesterday received a ruling that the deal with the RIAA did not impact Flo & Eddie’s class action efforts. Continue Reading