RAIN Notes: Monday, January 24
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— Sound Future (Steve Keller)
— New Shingle (Laura Mayer)
— Nothing More Exciting (John Gibbons)
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Emerging markets (China, Russia) drive music subscription growth: MIDiA Research
Newly released research from London-based MIDiA Research shows strong growth of global music subscribers, with services in emerging markets driving the forward motion. Overall, MIDiA figures 523.9-million subscribers to music streaming platforms around the world in Q2 2021. Spotify remains the worldwide leader with 31% share of subs, but that share is down from 33% the previous year. Click for more stats and an infographic Continue Reading
The Ambies podcast award show scheduled; hosts announced
The Awards for Excellence in Audio, mostly known as The Ambies and produced as the showcase event of The Podcast Academy, is set for March 22. The ceremony will stream live on YouTube and Twitch. The co-hosts are announced, and we glance back at the inaugural ceremony in 2021. Continue Reading
IAB announces speakers & agenda for Annual Leadership Meeting
Digital media and marketing trade association IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) has announced speakers and agenda for its Annual Leadership Meeting. For RAIN readers, executives from iHeartMedia, NPM, and Spotify will be of special interest Continue Reading
Acast finds a winner in its “Poddnästet” podcast contest; production to begin
We wrote about Acast’s first podcast competition (Poddnästet) in September. Now the company has found a winner based on a submitted idea. Axel Hietanen Ingman will collect a quarter-million Swedish crowns (about $27,000 USD). Ingman is a 26-year-old social worker and amateur musician. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends: The BBC’s fight against stupid
by James Cridland
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, James utters a phrase never before seen in this space: “dangerously dim-witted oxygen-thieves.” The word “stupid” appears too many times to count. It’s a bracingly frank argument on behalf of the BBC, in an argument with the UK government. Then, after a deep breath, a dozen links to interesting news items and columns. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, January 20
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— Deux U! … Not a Curse (Cadence13)
— Sky-high Title (Skyview Networks)
— Taking Charge (CBC)
TuneIn On Air launches to benefit small and non-profit broadcasters
TuneIn has opened its powerful platform distribution to small broadcasters, specifically educational and non-profit broadcasters, according to an announcement sent to RAIN. The idea is to give the same distribution tools that major broadcasters have to an underserved slice of the audio ecosystem. Click for details, including price. Continue Reading
Meta joins Magellan Top 15 podcast advertisers; seven are nine-month repeaters
In Magellan AI’s latest monthly report of top podcast advertisers, tracking December spending amounts, we see many of the same brands that have populated the Top 15 Spenders list for nine months. Only one new entrant among repeaters. Click for details and the RAIN graphic
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RAIN Notes: Wednesday, January 19
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— Tinkerers (Tinkercast)
— Keeping the Window Open (Threshold)
— Audio Illustrations (iHR + Sports Illustrated)
ABC News “Start Here” celebrates 1,000 episodes; Brad Mielke shares his pillow prowess
ABC News is celebrating the 1,000th episode of its daily news podcast, Start Here, hosted by veteran audio journalist, Edward R. Murrow award-winner, and RAIN Summit keynoter Brad Mielke. We asked Brad about recording in the field; he told us all about soft tech. Click for details and a photo. Continue Reading
Acast launches data-driven growth mentoring for its Creator Network podcasts
Podcast hosting and advertising company Acast has added a specialized division to increase audience growth in its Acast Creator Network. Acast is calling it a “growth division,” and has staffed it with employees in the UK, US, and home country Sweden. Continue Reading