Sony Music Entertainment posted 57% growth in streaming revenue in the past 12 months. That increase more than offset the company’s declining download revenue, but was not quite enough for it to break the $1 billion mark. Continue Reading
For the past several weeks, artists and labels have been making pointed statements about YouTube and the video platform’s financial obligations to the music industry. On Thursday, YouTube took a public stance against the charges, with a blog post penned by Christophe Muller, head of YouTube international music partnerships. Continue Reading
Sirius XM reported its first-quarter results for 2016 and has increased its guidance for the year’s net subscriber growth based on the performance. Quarterly revenue rose 11% to a high of $1.2 billion. Sirius XM said it now anticipates adding 1.6 million net new total subscribers in 2016. Continue Reading
TuneIn has announced the debut of a new brand campaign dubbed “Listen Like You Mean It.” The spot, which is the work of advertising agency McKinney, ties in with two major sporting events: the 2016 Major League Baseball season and the National Football League draft. Continue Reading
ASCAP posted more than $1 billion in revenue for the second consecutive year, but its total payouts to the music industry declined from 2014. The performing rights organization posted revenue of $1.014 billion in 2015, up slightly from its 2014 results, when revenue scraped past $1 billion for the first time. Continue Reading
Pandora has released a new TV commercial in its line of “The Next Song Matters” series, called The Song. The new spot takes the theme of Pandora’s first ad in this series (The Next Song) — the joyous impact of the perfect song at the perfect time — and compresses it into the deep feeling of music generally. In both, there is an underlying message of perfect music provided by non-interactive listening. Continue Reading
Spotify has acquired CrowdAlbum, an aggregator of photos and videos from concerts. The service, which launched in 2013, offers artists a visual album of their tours. It also helps them to identify and connect with fans. Continue Reading
This week, YouTube announced the introduction of a new ad format for its videos. Bumper ads are a six-second format intended to accompany mobile viewing. These are meant to be a more “snackable” approach to advertising on the platform and they cannot be skipped. Continue Reading
Apple Music is continuing on a steady climb of acquiring new listeners. After reporting that it had 10 million subscribers in January, the company’s second quarter financial results included news that the new streaming service has exceeded 13 million subscribers. Continue Reading
Nielsen released its comparable metrics report for Q4 2015. Radio’s weekly reach held steady at 93% for all adults over age 18. At the same time, there are underlying metrics that point to big shifts related to smartphone use and the habits of younger listeners. Continue Reading
Ezra Kucharz, President of CBS Local Digital Media, is leaving his CBS position, and will take on a consulting role as Special Advisor to the CEO of CBS. Kucharz made an informal announcement of his move in a LinkedIn note, and also circulated a memo to his team. Continue Reading
The smartphone is one of the most influential consumer electronics categories of the last 20 years. It certainly influences how Americans listen to radio and internet-delivered audio. At RAIN Summit West, Edison Research President Larry Rosin brought new metrics about smartphone listening from Edison’s ongoing Share of Ear and Infinite Dial consumer surveys. A shift is underway, too dramatic to disregard. Continue Reading