A new open letter is circulating from the music industry attacking YouTube’s use of safe harbors under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This one is spearheaded by Irving Azoff, and it includes signatures from heavy hitters including Taylor Swift and U2. Continue Reading
The Australian Securities Exchange has rejected Guvera’s planned IPO, informing the streaming company that it would not accept its shares. The exchange’s statement did not disclose specific reasons for the refusal. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia today announced the launch of a private programmatic marketplace for digital radio in the company’s iHeartRadio service. iHeart says this is the first programmatic platform of its kind in the U.S. The platform is powered by ad-tech company AdsWizz. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: A discussion of why radio leaders shouldn’t necessarily be radio people; radio shows and covering tragedy; bluetooth radio distribution in India. Continue Reading
Spotify has surpassed 100 million active users, a representative confirmed to RAIN News. It’s a big milestone for the streaming service. At the end of 2015, Spotify had 89 million active users, including about 28 million paying subscribers. Continue Reading
SoundExchange has forecast that it will deliver $860 million in payouts this year. President and CEO Michael Huppe gave the prediction at the A2IM convention. Huppe also used his speech to discuss the organization’s policy platforms. Continue Reading
Podcast platform audioBoom has signed a partnership with Australian mobile advertising company Big Mobile, to exclusively market audioBoom’s spoken-word inventory to advertisers in Big Mobile’s market across Australia. The announcement comes with a couple of interesting metrics. Continue Reading
Spotify has hired a new exec as head of investor relations, the latest signal that an IPO is in the streaming service’s future. The new addition is Paul Vogel, who joins Spotify after most recently running Barclays’ Internet and media research group. Continue Reading
8tracks is now accepting investments in its Regulation A round. The crowdfunded investment round is officially open on SeedInvest. This type of SEC-regulated round allows anybody to invest in the playlisting company, buying ownership for as little as $100. Continue Reading
Merlin, a digital rights agency for independent labels, has released the results of its 2016 member survey. Digital income supplied a majority of overall business for 62% of respondents, up from about half of the respondents last year. Streaming is a core element in that digital growth. Continue Reading
Beginning this year, the Recording Academy will be able to consider streaming-only albums for Grammy recognition. The organization’s previous rules required a physical or digital release to be eligible for the awards. Continue Reading
PodcastOne announced that Jim Berk has come aboard as Chief Executive Officer. Berk comes from Participant media, where he was CEO for nine years. PodcastOne founder Norm Pattiz maintains his role as Executive Chairman, and Kit Gray continues as President. the announcement signals further expansion. (Video: Norm Pattiz interview at RAIN Summit West.) Continue Reading