Google lays out basics of long-awaited podcast strategy, seeks to double existing audience

Google intends to double the podcast audience in a couple of years, and correct what it sees as an imbalance in Android’s share of delivery compared to iPhones. Some of Google’s podcast discovery and listening strategy is already implemented, and it shines a meaningful light on Google’s potential power to come from way behind Apple’s 13-year advantage in delivering podcasts to its iTunes and Podcasts app audiences. Continue Reading

Tencent Music reportedly eyeing an IPO in the United States

Tencent Music appears to be moving forward with plans for an IPO in the United States later this year. The Wall Street Journal (paywall) reported that Tencent Music will start interviewing underwriting banks over the next month. Sources predicted that the company could be valued at $25 billion on a U.S. stock exchange, which would make it the fourth-largest tech IPO in the country. Continue Reading

Podcast Consumer 2018: Share of ear doubles, smartphone dominance, and smart speaker success

Podcasting has come a long way in attracting a dedicated, passionate audience with several unique traits, but there is still progress to be made in reaching the mainstream American listener. That’s the narrative laid out today in the Podcast Consumer 2018 report from Edison Research and Triton Digital. Ever the congenial host, Edison VP Tom Webster presided over the presentation. Continue Reading

MIDiA Research: Streaming boosted global music revenue to $17.4 billion in 2017

MIDiA Research has shared its 2017 figures for the global recorded music market, and its results show a big year of growth thanks to a powerful performance from streaming. Global recorded music revenue hit $17.4 billion during 2017, up 8.5% from $16 billion in 2016. The year’s performance returns the global market to just below its levels from 2008. Continue Reading