James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Important tech questions about HTTPS websites. Following the iHeartMedia bankruptcy saga. Much more from the audio industry worldwide. Continue Reading
iHeart Media, whose declared mission is “To give everyone in America a friend … anytime, anywhere,” has released AudioCon 2025: The Human Consumer, a study of consumer listening. The motivating principle of the research is to strengthen the relationship between America’s largest radio network and its listeners. Those listeners know that they are “caught in algorithmic bubbles.” Continue Reading
Radio: Just like burger joints – Fred Jacobs
Did they mention that it’s free? – Sounds Profitable
Spotify has developed a new array of subscription offers. Rather than the traditional in-or-out model, Spotify is testing a system of three Premium offerings: Light, Standard, and Platinum. Each one provides ad-free listening, with different limitations and benefits. Click for details. Continue Reading
SiriusXM has released a new pitch deck to the advertising buy side of online audio. It’s called CRL+Z (The Real Sound of Gen Z. It’s an advertiser guide to addressing what he presentation clls “this indefinable generation. And, naturally, it is a promotion of SiriusXM’ experience and effectiveness in he field. Click for a general review and link to the source. Continue Reading
Closing the gap – Steve Keller
Climbing the charts – Breaking Rust
Stingray, the music and video distribution and advertising platform, is announcing that it will acquire 23-year-old audio streamer TuneIn. The transaction is valued at $175 million. Stockholder approval pending. Click for details. Continue Reading
Social media behemoth TikTok is planting its brand in podcasting, with partnership support from iHeartMedia. A new TikTok Podcast Network will be formed, holding 25 podcasts hosted by TikTok creators. iHeart will own the distribution, placing the shows across all major audio platforms. Click for details. Continue Reading
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Ad-Mavs Netflix
Bigger, better? Edison Research
In its Q3 earnings release Spotify might be daring observers to find a negative number. Perhaps there are some minuses deep in the metrics, but the headline numbers are all upward.
In the 12-month measurement at Listen Notes (HERE), new podcast production in took a sizable step downward in October 2025 compared to November of last year, and also month-over-month (Sep – Oct). 2024. Further, the October monthly measurement represents the lowest podcast production of the 12-month period. Click for charts. Continue Reading
Global podcast company Acast has released Podcast Pulse 2025, the latest in its annual report series on global podcast trends. (RAIN’s coverage of the 2024 report is HERE.) The backbone theme of this year’s report describes an evolutionary step into a new era for podcasting, defined by a reshaping of influence, trust, and culture. Click for details and link to the source. Continue Reading