Spotify appears to be testing the hi-fi audio waters. Some users of the streaming service appear to have been chosen to test a version of Spotify’s premium features coupled with lossless, CD-quality audio. According to screenshots of the A/B testing for Spotify Hi-Fi, the potential upgrade could add between $5 and $10 a month to the existing monthly cost. Continue Reading
France posted 5.4% growth for its recorded music market to reach revenue of €449.56 million in 2016, according to industry body SNEP. Combined subscription and ad-supported streaming was the second-largest source of revenue with a 37% increase on-year. Continue Reading
MIDiA Research is always a source of interesting data and analysis for the music industry, and its assessment of the global recorded music revenue in 2016 is no exception. In two recent blog posts, the company explored both the overall performance of the music industry and the shares of that performance secured by each of the major labels. Continue Reading
Social audio app Anchor has released a long-awaited version 2.0 of its app, in which the push-and-pull between radio (listening) and social (creating) is slanted decidedly to radio. To some extent, the audio creation/listening app is following in the footsteps of SoundCloud. Continue Reading
Former Triton Digital COO (and co-founder) Mike Agovino has partnered with talent management entrepreneur Paul Anderson to launch Workhouse Connect, a self-described “influence marketing company.” Workhouse Connect is positioned as a sister company to Workhouse Media and Workhouse Creative, both started by Anderson. Continue Reading
For the first year, SXSW has opened a Podcast Stage for live podcast production, turning what is historically a recorded medium into performance art. It’s not a first-time breakthrough for podcasting generally, but it does start to put podcasting on an even footing with live music as a festival attraction — especially since the interactive and music agendas overlap this year. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Omny Studio cracks Apple; NPR One on Alexa; 7 things. Much more. Continue Reading
Podcast listenership is growing. But … faster, faster! That seems to be the impetus behind the #trypod movement, which admonishes listeners to publicize their favorite shows. Continue Reading
Grace Digital, a consumer electronics company that specializes in internet-connected devices, is launching a radio called the Mondo+ on Kickstarter. Its broad range of connectivity options puts the device in the hunt to be a focal point of listening across many audio platforms in the home. Continue Reading
The RAIN Online Audio Advertising Summit at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York this week featured 22 speakers in a streamlined four-hour morning conference. Audio buyers from New York ad agencies shared the audience space with audio publishers, podcast networks, and tech companies. All the speakers contributed high-level thought leadership. We gathered just a few quotes of interest during the event. Continue Reading
Richard Conlon, veteran executive in communications and rights management, joined SoundExchange this week as Chief External Affairs Officer. Conlon will report to SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe. This newly created role will have broad purview in SoundExchange’s pivotal position in the digital music industry. Continue Reading
Spotify used Twitter to announce its milestone of 50-million subscribers, and to thank its customers. By any standard, Spotify’s subscriber growth has been impressive. The company noted 40-million paying users in September, and 30-million less than a year ago. Continue Reading