Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Podcast ads hitting a paradigm shift; streaming and diamond certification; the surprising inspiration behind Apple earbuds. Continue Reading
Apple has announced two new talent developments within its Apple music streaming service. First, its has added the newest artist for its Up Next discovery program. Second, South African DJ and producer Black Coffee is joining the roster of Beats 1 hosts. Continue Reading
ASCAP and BMI announced a collaboration that will see the two performing rights organizations create a single comprehensive database of musical works from their libraries. The database will contain an overview of shares and rights information for much of the music licensed in the United States, offering more clarity around music ownership. Continue Reading
Facebook’s possible plans for music content continue to take hazy shape as the company assembles tech and talent in that space. The latest development is the acquisition of Source3, a startup that specializes in “analyzing branded intellectual property in user-generated content.” The Source3 team and the company’s technology will be incorporated into Facebook’s ranks. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio announced a new digital-focused promotion. Tony Molaee has moved into the position of vice president of digital programming operations for the company. In this role, he will work to support the national team for digital programming and continue his leadership for the local New York City market. Continue Reading
Alphabet, the parent company behind Google, has announced its second quarter financial results. The company posted quarterly revenue of $26 billion, up 21% on-year. Net income for the period depended on whether the recent $2.7 billion fine levied by the European Commission was included in the accounting. Continue Reading
For the release of his newest work, Jay-Z opted to gate the album to his Tidal streaming service for one week. But even after distributing the music to most other digital platforms, Spotify still does not have 4:44. That may not be a cheap decision for the artist, and it also shows that Spotify has still not shaken some long-held assumptions among A-list performers. Continue Reading
Pandora stock is benefitting today from two encouraging pieces of Wall Street news. As of this post, P stock is up three percent, to its highest level of July. One investor’s note to clients reveals how Pandora is re-allocating resources to favor the radio service, putting Pandora Premium in maintenance mode. Continue Reading
Podtrac’s June 2017 podcast rankings marked another month of shuffling. While many of the top players remained the same from May, a few familiar faces fell in the standings. The big change was NPR’s Invisibilia returning to the list, landing at the No. 4 spot. On the other side of the coin, Serial dropped out of the top 20 entirely. Continue Reading
Midroll Media announced the addition of seven new podcasts to its Earwolf comedy network. The new programming covers a wide breadth of styles and formats. The announcement also serves to mark the 500th episode of Comedy Bang! Bang!, the network’s flagship podcast hosted by comedian Scott Aukerman. Continue Reading
Spotify has reportedly made progress toward securing a licensing deal with Warner Music Group. Reuters cited four unnamed sources in its exclusive report that the streaming company was moving closer to an agreement with the third major label. The specifics of this alleged arrangement are still being hammered out, but the sources told Reuters that the parties had already agreed to Spotify paying a smaller share of revenue to Warner in exchange for the label’s artists to window their work to paid subscribers for a period. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Advice on doing media interviews. Fallout from the BBC’s salary reveal. More radio beers. Continue Reading