Amazon announced that it will launch its Echo smart speaker line in Australia and New Zealand. Pre-orders for the devices begin today, and the first shipments are expected in early February. In addition the company is rolling out Amazon Music Unlimited in those two markets starting February 1. Continue Reading
A group of popular performers has filed an amicus brief against Pandora centered on pre-1972 recordings. Jeffrey Knowles and Julia D. Greer of Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP filed the brief in the California lawsuit on January 12. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Smart speakers dominated CES and continue to make headlines. Continue Reading
Ahead of its Q4 earnings call, Sirius XM announced that it has exceeded its 2017 subscriber guidance. The satellite radio company ended the year with about 27.5 million self-pay subscribers, adding an estimated 1.56 million self-pay subscribers in 2017. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Reflections on small-scale DAB in the UK and how it might work. Much more from the international audio industry. Continue Reading
Nielsen shared its 2017 report covering the Canadian music market, and the narrative falls in line with its data for the United States. Total music consumption in the country increased 13.6% to 49.5 million units. Hip-hop and R&B were the fastest-growing genres in Canada. Continue Reading
Never a dull moment, or a dull year, in the online audio field. Here, we present RAIN’s annual Predictions feature, provided by industry leaders around the world. 2018 will carry forward the audio industry’s reputation for quick, disruptive change. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Rest in peace, Dick Orkin. Other news and updates from around the audio world looking back on 2017 and ringing in 2018. Continue Reading
This guest column by Corey Layton, Content and Marketing Director at Whooshkaa, boldly predicts th podcast industry into 2018. Even more bravely, this article looks back at Corey Layton’s 2017 predictions. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: James reacts to Australian radio’s long holiday break in ratings. Others share insights on UK radio’s impending deregulation. Continue Reading
Legislation that proposes a mechanical licensing overhaul has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The Music Modernization Act would create a collective to manage the licenses for the mechanical licensing in all digital uses of music compositions. Under the bipartisan proposal, royalties would be based on free market rates of what willing buyers and sellers would negotiate. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Two big broadcasters jump aboard the Alexa skill train. Loudness wars and conflicting LUFS standards. Much more from around the audio world. Continue Reading