Updating the progress of Popcorn Time, often described as “Netflix for pirates,” illuminates differences between the movie and music industries, showing the music industry’s leadership position in cloud-delivered content, and possibly heralds a new Napster-like era of disruption in how media is consumed. Continue Reading
In a partnership that was announced over a year ago, automaker GM and telecom giant AT&T are starting to roll out product — cars with built-in online connectivity. With announced prices, these cars and data plans help shape consumer understanding of an important question: What is the monthly cost of connecting a car? Continue Reading
A Beats Music royalty statement was leaked to The Trichordist, David Lowery’s musician advocacy site. The document divulges previously unknown subscriber and royalty information. Click for an informal and unofficial reconstruction of the Beats Music audience level and royalty percentages in March. Continue Reading
The rumor hasn’t been refuted yet, and the entire music-tech world is treating it a fact, soon to be manifested. Apple will (reportedly) acquire Beats Electronics, including Beats Music. RAIN solicited comments from thought leaders, and harvested some of the most provocative perspectives in other media outlets, to create a landscape of opinion and speculation. Continue Reading
In what would be a blockbuster $3.2-billion deal that re-shapes the ownership structure of streaming music, Apple is reportedly set to acquire Beats Electronics, which includes Beats Music. If it plays out as rumored, the acquisition would vault Apple into the music-subscription industry, adding a third pillar to its music business. Continue Reading
SNL Kagan released the 2014 edition of Economics of Internet Music and Radio, a map of the online audio landscape and financial projections. The study considers pureplay Internet music services in detail, and also makes separate financial revenue projections for digital streams of broadcast radio. Continue Reading
Reports are circulating today that telecom giant AT&T will discontinue the Muve Music service currently available to a portion of AT&T’s user base. AT&T is invested in its partnership with Beats Music, and owns Leap Wireless, Muve Music’s parent company. There is logic in this rumor, if it plays out. Continue Reading
Yesterday Amazon announced a new feature that allows Twitter users to add something to their Amazon shopping cart by replying to a tweet with the hashtag #amazoncart. “Add it now, buy it later” is Amazon’s slogan. In this guest column, Jennifer Lane suggests how radio stations can use this new program to their (and their advertisers’) advantage. Continue Reading
Pandora’s audience grew in April, but not enough for investors, apparently, as the stock was down three percent at 10:00 AM this morning. As always, Pandora revealed three measurements in the monthly report: Active listeners, Listener hours, and Share of total U.S. radio listening. Continue Reading
A small Virginia radio group, VerStandig Broadcasting, has filed for a declarative judgment in a local district court, seeking to escape payment of performance royalties in its webcasts. The loophole exists in radio’s exemption from paying for the recordings it broadcasts over the air. Continue Reading
Zimmer Radio Group is comprised of 10 radio stations in the Columbia, Missouri region. The Zimmer brand is a second-generation radio emblem; John Zimmer’s father got started in the 1950s. “We’ve never defined ourselves as being in the radio business. We’re in the business of helping local businesses grow.” Continue Reading
Beats Music CEO Ian Rogers has issued a 100-days report on the company blog. Part marketing and part affirmation of company strategy, Rogers’ key message is that the service’s content strategy — personally curated listening — works. Plus, a nifty infographic. Continue Reading