SoundExchange announced that it has surpassed $3 billion in digital royalties paid to recording artists and labels since 2003. Last year, the organization issued payments of $773 million, representing about 16% of total revenue from the entire U.S. recorded music industry. Continue Reading
Guest columnist Steve Goldstein left Saga Communications in March to start on-demand audio company Amplifi Media. In this article, he reports on the charged energy at the recent Podcast Movement conference where he spoke … and notes a striking absence of broadcasters. Continue Reading
As Pandora approaches its 10-year anniversary, the online radio company is launching a new campaign for brand awareness that loops in a surprising media source: TV. The new video ad is already out online, but it will move to broadcast television in the fall. Continue Reading
Webcast listening in June remained nearly flat from May’s numbers, according to Triton Digital’s Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker, released today. The aggregate of Triton’s top 20 measured clients moved less than one percentage point downward month-over-month. Strong mobile and year-over-year performance. Continue Reading
The Netherlands government announced that it will issue 34 DAB+ licenses for regional radio stations. The nation’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said that only commercial stations that already have a legal permit for DAB+ would be allowed to sign up for consideration. Continue Reading
Apple Music has entered into a deal with an Australian telecom company to offer a 12-month free trial of the streaming service as part of a mobile bundle. Apple Music has also signed with AMRA, the digital collections society owned by Kobalt. There are also rumors of Beats 1 producing more video content. Continue Reading
As news spread about Hubbard Radio acquiring 30% of PodcastOne, we talked to Norm Pattiz, co-founder of PodcastOne and evangelizing advocate of podcasting, on the phone. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes in the audio industry. Here are the latest changes (and non-changes). Continue Reading
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Listening of coffe shops; research from NPR; international links. Continue Reading
David Byrne has taken on more responsibility in lobbying for change in the music world after joining the board of SoundExchange. On Sunday, the former Talking Head penned an op-ed in The New York Times about the music industry’s finances, recommending greater transparency as a path to more success for all parties. Continue Reading
Beatport recently updated its terms to allow anyone to create an account and upload original tracks. These songs can be monetized on Beatport’s platform, and the owner will receive between 5% and 10% of the total amount generated by a track. The details of the per-stream royalty calculations are laid out for all to see in the terms of service. Continue Reading
Hubbard Radio and PodcastOne announced that Hubbard has acquired 30% of podcast network, in a deal whose finances are undisclosed. For the second time in two weeks, radio has bought into podcasting. On July 22, print and broadcast media giant E.W. Scripps wholly acquired Midroll Media. Continue Reading