Guest columnist Jon Maples analyzes Rhapsody’s release of 2014 financial results. Revenue up for the on-demand music service. Losses up, too. What does it mean for the model? Continue Reading
Later this month, creatives, thought leaders, pundits, and music fans alike will converge on Austin for SXSW. Pandora will be hosting a concert series at the event. In its blog post announcing the lineup, Pandora said that it would provide live broadcasts of all the performances. It already has the dedicated SXSW station up and running. Continue Reading
This week SoundCloud marked a milestone in its relatively new advertising program with an announcement that it has paid out $1-million in ad revenues since the program launched in August. It’s a good moment to take a look at one launch advertiser, Jaguar, in the service. Continue Reading
RAIN Summit West, April 12 in Las Vegas, has posted confirmed speakers to date, featuring some of the most innovative and creative industry professionals. Continue Reading
Flo & Eddie, representing The Turtles, have been cutting a legal swath through audio publishers of late. Most of its lawsuits have focused on Sirius XM, but Pandora was also on the receiving end of a suit seeking royalties and damages for playing songs recorded prior in 1972 when U.S. federal copyright law took effect. Continue Reading
One of the most intractable issues in music licensing is broadcast radio’s exemption from performance royalties to artists and labels for the use of recorded music. The exemption has the weight of history: It has always been so in the U.S., though not in most other countries with government-regulated music licensing. The situation’s rarity is not of concern to advocates of radio’s licensing privilege, who assert that radio’s traditional role in driving awareness, success, and sales of music performers is as vital today as ever. Continue Reading
Internet media brand Slate has launched a new podcast network called Panoply. We spoke with Andy Bowers, Executive Producer & Creator of Slate Podcasts, about the Panoply portfolio, business model, and the user experience he is striving for. Continue Reading
Music and business mogul Jay-Z made an offer to buy Aspiro, parent company for the Tidal and WiMP streaming services, back in January. Although Aspiro encouraged its shareholders to accept the roughly $56 million offer, the response from those shareholders has been lukewarm. Continue Reading
Spotify is looking to hire a vice president of public policy to help give voice to the company’s interests among lawmakers. This new hire will report to Jonathan Prince, Spotify’s global head of communications and public policy. Continue Reading
Media services agency Horizon Media has announced that it is developing new ways of targeting listening audiences, based on listener mood. The mood-based audience segmenting is mainly for radio buying, but Horizon indicates that Internet radio could use the new technology too. Continue Reading
Midroll Media announced today that Chris Bannon, currently VP of Content Development and Production at public radio’s WNYC, will join Midroll as Chief Content Officer starting March 16. RAIN News spoke to Chris Bannon and Midroll Media CEO Adam Sachs about the appointment and the opportunity in podcasting. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: what streaming should borrow from radio; SoundCloud audience infographic; SXSW hosts a hackathon. Continue Reading