The Financial Times is expanding its audio programming with a move into subscriber-only podcasts. The first show in this wave is The Rachman Review, which premiered earlier this month. The program is hosted by popular FT columnist Gideon Rachman. Continue Reading
Spotify released its results from the third quarter of 2019. Total revenue for the period reached €1.73 billion, up from €1.35 billion in the same period last year. Along with the financial update, the company also announced that its CFO plans to retire. Continue Reading
Westwood One has partnered with podcast technology company Megaphone. The Cumulus Media-owned Westwood will move its podcast network to Megaphone’s platform. Westwood One will also have the future chance to opt into the Megaphone Targeted Marketplace. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: LBC News launches in the UK. Radioplayer arrives in Italy. Stats on DAB in Australia. Continue Reading
Pacific Content has hired Jonas Woost as its director of business development. In this role, he will be responsible for continuing to expand Pacific Content’s roster of clients and podcasts. Continue Reading
Amazon released its third-quarter earnings, marking an unusual uneven quarter for the tech empire. Net sales totaled $70 billion, up 24% from $56.6 billion in the same quarter of 2018. Continue Reading
Rhapsody and Sony Music Entertainment Japan have officially launched their mora qualitas streaming service in Japan. The platform, initially unveiled in December 2018, offers high-resolution music from the Sony catalog, as well as libraries from other labels and distributors. Continue Reading
Podcast network Luminary Media has a new CEO and a new influx of funding. Simon Sutton is stepping in to lead the subscription audio platform. In addition to new leadership, Luminary has secured an additional $30 million in a series C financing round. Continue Reading
NPR is changing its approach to video content. After several years running the VuHaus collection of music-related videos from several public radio stations, NPR has relocated that material to a new microsite within NPRMusic.org. This section is called Live Sessions From NPR Music Stations Across America. Continue Reading
Sony Music Entertainment is launching a new podcast joint venture. The company is collaborating with UK-based podcast producer Renay Richardson for a business called Broccoli Content. Continue Reading
Spotify is trying out a new layer to its alerts about new music releases. The platform already shows full-screen pop-ups to users when their favorite artists drop new albums. With the new feature, artists and their management would have the option to pay to sponsor those recommendations. Continue Reading
Germany has been one of the slower markets to transition to streaming music, and a new study found that the trends toward new technology is continuing to gradually rise. A study conducted by the University of Hamburg for a collection of music industry bodies found that about a quarter of German listeners are paying for a music streaming service. Continue Reading