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Test Drive: Vessel

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Anna Washenko

We reported on the plans for new video service Vessel back in December, and since then have gotten access to its beta. The service uses a business model of an inexpensive monthly subscription ($2.99) that promises advanced access to content. Many have positioned this video service as a direct rival to YouTube, since artists and other video creators might appreciate a paid platform more than a free video playground. After spending some time investigating what the platform has to offer, we’re excited about where Vessel might go, but it has a long road before it will be a true rival of YouTube. Continue Reading →

Pandora introduces Artist Audio Messaging

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Pandora has introduced a new feature called Artist Audio Messaging that will allow musicians to directly communicate with their fans. Lenny Kravitz is one of the first musicians to have access to the feature, and he used it to introduce a new song. The service is getting a small rollout for now, but the company said it aims to scale it up to more people over time. Continue Reading →

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Backbone Networks launches Backbone Talk, cloud-based phone-in solution for streaming talk

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Brad Hill

Paul Kamp, VP of Business Development at Backbone Networks, notified RAIN that his company has released Backbone Talk, a lightweight solution to taking call-in talk programs out of the studio. Continue Reading →

RAIN Summit West announces panels

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Brad Hill

RAIN Summit West, April 12 in Las Vegas, has posted this year’s discussion panels, and the first 12 confirmed speakers. RAIN Summit West, a partner event of the NAB Show, is the preeminent information and networking event for the streaming audio industry. Continue Reading →

PodcastOne hires new regional sales manager

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Brad Hill

PodcastOne has haired Dana Senit, formerly with TargetSpot, as its new Sales Manager, Western Region. Senit was with TargetSpot for nearly seven years. Senit has a 20-year career in sales and account management. Continue Reading →

Midroll Media hires WNYC’s Chris Bannon as Chief Content Officer

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Brad Hill

Midroll Media announced today that Chris Bannon, currently VP of Content Development and Production at public radio’s WNYC, will join Midroll as Chief Content Officer starting March 16. RAIN News spoke to Chris Bannon and Midroll Media CEO Adam Sachs about the appointment and the opportunity in podcasting. Continue Reading →

Is podcasting the future of radio? Or blogging? (Or both?)

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Brad Hill

The Download on Podcasts is a new weekly feature sponsored by PodcastOne.

2015 is widely proclaimed to be the Year of the Podcast. A lot of media uptake hinges on Serial, last year’s breakout hit program. But momentum has been building in deeper layers of the audio industry. Podcasting’s future has never looked brighter — for radio professionals, content entrepreneurs, and amateur webcasters. Continue Reading →

Deezer partners with Lithuanian telecom

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Deezer has been busy making deals with telecommunications companies over the past few months. The latest one is a partnership with Tele2 in Lithuania. Under the terms of that agreement, Tele2 customers will get free access to Deezer’s music streaming service for three months. Continue Reading →

Domino.fm offers reading and streaming for serious music fans

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Anna Washenko

When it comes to music curation, computers and algorithms can only take you so far. The true music geeks want to have a human touch to their discovery. That’s a niche that new service called Domino.fm aims to fill. The property aggregates content from various music press outlets, and gives fans a place to both read articles and listen to the songs they’re about at the same time. Continue Reading →

Sony/ATV licenses music to Spotify for EU despite past critiques

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Anna Washenko

Spotify has inked a new licensing deal with Sony/ATV to offer its catalog in Europe. The deal for Sony’s Anglo-American music covers all 30 territories of the European Economic Area. Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier has been critical of the payouts that songwriters and publishers receive from streaming, and the latest tie-up seems to have resolved his concerns. Continue Reading →

Benztown partners with ConnectPal for audio content monetization

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Brad Hill

Audio production and media syndication company Benztown announced a partnership with ConnectPal, a content marketplace for independent creators. Benztown will put its talent assets into ConnectPal’s monetization platform, and has also taken a financial stake of an undisclosed amount in ConnectPal. Continue Reading →

TuneCore expands concert program, extends artist promotion beyond digital distribution

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Anna Washenko

TuneCore has been developing the feature set it makes available to artists, and the company laid out its plans for further improving artist exposure with live shows and special events. Its 2015 plans include a web series called Convenience Store Sessions and a SXSW showcase. Continue Reading →