Apple’s forced distribution of U2’s new album, Songs of Innocence, is widely regarded as a public relations catastrophe that damaged both brands. We asked RAIN readers what they thought about free music landing in their devices. Welcomed gift, or abhorred gaffe? The results are fairly definitive. Continue Reading
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An eight-minute blast of news you need to know in streaming music and online audio. This week: RIAA, Shazam, Apple, U2, copyright ruling, Beats Music, WBUR, Google Glass. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Thom York to sell new solo album on BitTorrent; Neil Young’s next album goes hi-fi; social media success for iHeartRadio Fest. Continue Reading
The RIAA released sales and revenue numbers for the first half of 2014. At the top line, a decrease of 4.9% in overall revenue. Streaming posted 28% growth during the half-year — those services supplied 27% of total industry revenue during the front half of the year, drawing close to the 28% share represented by physical music sales. Click through for more. Continue Reading
UK media regulator Ofcom found a 9.1% decline in digital audio broadcasting sets sold in the year ending in June. The annual digital radio report revealed that at 1.7 million sets, the past year had the lowest number sold since at least 2009. The report also showed flat performance for digital radio’s share of all radio listening, holding steady at 36.8%. Its findings for the popularity of digital radio indicated that the UK listeners are scattered in their preferences. Continue Reading
“This is a very surprising decision,” writes broadcast attorney David Oxenford in this comprehensive analysis of a federal court ruling in California. Looking forward, much depends on whether the surprising decision is upheld in appeal, and whather it is replicated in other courtrooms and states. “If this decision were upheld, the potential ramifications for business in California could be great.” Oxenford, who wrote about “The Summer of Copyright” this year, declares the start of what could be an equally contentious new season — “The Autumn of Copyright has begun!” Continue Reading
Recent info from Edison Research’s Share of Ear study puts listening to Internet radio/Music in the US, among persons 12+ at 11.6% of overall listening to all legitimate sources of audio. Right around the same time we were discussing this study at RAIN Summit Indy, similar information was being presented at the Nextrad.io conference hosted by RAIN friends James Cridland and Matt Deegan. RAIN will be examining the online audio marketplace in the UK and across Europe in November at RAIN Summit Europe which will take place in London on November 4th. Continue Reading
Vevo has had an interesting summer, from looking for a buyer to not looking for a buyer. Now the video hosting platform has expanded into original content. Vevo has three new shows that spread its reach beyond music videos, but all of them are still centered around the music industry and artists. Continue Reading
RAIN founding editor Kurt Hanson rhapsodizes about the iPhone 6’s ability to consolidate multiple mobile tools into a single device. His admonition to radio executives on both sides of the digital fence: Take note, and prepare for an even more consumer-friendly mobile future. Continue Reading
Amazon’s head of digital music and video has departed the company. Bill Carr has spent 15 years with the online retailer, and was at the helm when the company entered the markets for both online music and streaming video. He was responsible for launching Amazon’s streaming music service for customers with Prime memberships. Continue Reading
Shazam belatedly shared its financial information from the second half of 2013. In that six-month period, the music ID program reported pre-tax losses of £5.3 million, up from losses of £1.3 million for the whole of 2012. Revenue for the second half of 2013 totaled £16.9 million, down from £31 million during the first half of that year. Continue Reading