7digital has completed its acquisition of music services provider 24-7 from MediaMarktSaturn. The deal for the rival business was first announced in March, and its completion has revealed more details about the arrangement. In return for the 24-7 acquisition, MediaMarktSaturn will become the biggest individual shareholder in 7digital as well as a customer. Continue Reading
Audio publishing platform Omny Studio announced an option for video pre-roll ads in web-based listening. The new feature is the result of a collaboration with Macquarie Media. It offers a new revenue stream option for podcasters, who are usually limited to audio ad inventory on their shows. Continue Reading
Jay-Z is releasing a new album at the end of the month, but it will be exclusive to his Tidal streaming platform. This new exclusive title, 4:44, marks the first such development for Tidal after its partnership with Sprint. In January, Sprint purchased a 33% stake in the streaming company. With this first shared exclusive, new customers of the telecom’s can have a six-month free trial of Tidal HiFi and listen to the new album for free. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia has entered a partnership with Fox Networks Group to create Smart A/V Audiences, a suite of data-driven advertising products across both audio and video segments. Smart A/V Audiences will allow the creation of customized audiences by targeting for specific interests, then delivering video and audio ads to those individuals. The project builds on iHeartMedia’s SmartAudio programmatic ad tool. Continue Reading
Podtrac has published its May 2017 rankings of the top podcasts. All 20 members of the podcast ranking are the same as the previous month, but have seen a shake-up in placements. Most notable is S-Town dropping from the top of the chart down to eighth. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: NPR advises on using Facebook Live tool. Tales from the trenches of radio promotion. Infinite Dial data for Australia. Continue Reading
Pandora has sold its terrestrial radio station. It has handed off the South Dakota station KXMZ 102.7 to Haugo Broadcasting for $300,000. Pandora initially purchased the station from Connoisseur Media in 2015 for $600,000. The sale brings an end to a convoluted chapter in the audio company’s legal and licensing history. Continue Reading
Two podcast hosts and distributors have announced additions to their show rosters. PodcastOne unveiled two new podcasts. Westwood One detailed a partnership with Live Nation and three new shows. Continue Reading
We’ve seen several staunch holdouts against streaming relax their stances this year as the distribution path becomes more lucrative. Bob Seger is the latest to reverse course. Twelve albums from Seger’s catalog have been added to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, iHeartMedia, Slacker, and Napster. Continue Reading
Social video app Musical.ly is now creating original shows. The platform emphasizes user creativity, and has become a hub for lip syncing and other fan music videos. The planned episodes will run just two to four minutes and will feature content from NBC, MTV, and Hearst. Original content has become a core marketing promise for companies across the entertainment and media landscapes. Continue Reading
Spotify has inked a deal to further its interests in concerts and ticketing. The streaming company entered a global partnership with AXS and Eventbrite that will see both ticketing companies making personalized concert recommendations to Spotify listeners. Continue Reading
BMI announced two promotions within its upper ranks, effective immediately. Alison Smith and Mike Steinberg have both been elevated from SVP to EVP positions in their respective departments. Continue Reading