Spotify has acquired not one, but two podcasting companies. The rumor mill hinted this week that the streaming company was in negotiations for podcast producer Gimlet Media, and that is one of the purchases. But Spotify has also acquired Anchor, a straightforward service that lets anyone start creating, distributing, and monetizing podcasts. Continue Reading
The 3rd annual RAIN Podcast Business Summit, March 5 in New York, will feature executive leadership from Google, NPR, iHeartPodcast Network, and several of the most influential podcast and technology companies in the field. Click for details and FIRST MOVER registration. Continue Reading
The Vox Media Podcast Network announced that it is getting its first music show. The podcast Switched on Pop is joining the company and will be officially relaunched next month under that umbrella. Vox will produce the show alongside hosts Charlie Harding and Nate Sloan. Continue Reading
Warner Music Group published the financial results for its fiscal first quarter, which it reports as the three-month period ending December 31, 2018. The company posted total revenue up 15.1% on-year to $1.2 billion, with digital revenue increasing 17.6% to $627 million. Continue Reading
Deezer announced that it has appointed Tarek Mounir as its CEO of the Middle East and North Africa. He will join the company effective April 1 after more than eight years working in the same region for international broadcast media company Turner. Continue Reading
Consumer Intelligence Research Partners has shared its latest research into smart speaker ownership in the United States. The total install base for smart speakers in the country at the close of 2018 is 66 million, up from 36 million in 2017. A growing share of the install base has more than one smart speaker, up to 35% in 2018 from 18% in 2017. Continue Reading
The Share of Ear survey from Edison Research has been charting trends in U.S. audio consumption since 2014. In that time, several new trends have emerged, such as a heavy shift toward subscription streaming and a surge of interest around podcasting. However, a new blog post from the company noted that with all of those gains, one particular listening category has been in decline. Continue Reading
The Music Modernization Act is open to submissions for the management of the Mechanical Licensing Collective through March 21. A group comprised of the National Music Publishers’ Association, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and the Songwriters of North America have made their bid for the leadership of the MLC. Continue Reading
Mixcloud has hired Daniel Petruzzi as its vice president of partnerships. Petruzzi will focus on developing engagement within the company’s U.S. creator community. He will also be promoting the Mixcloud Select fan-to-creator subscription service. Continue Reading
Despite a few early experiments, augmented reality glasses have mostly remained the stuff of science fiction. But Bose is making its own attempt to enter this space with the launch of Frames glasses in the U.S. The audio-focused sunglasses contain speakers in the frame and microphones near each temple. Continue Reading
Amazon Audible has launched a new Alexa skill in partnership with ChooseCo, the creators of the Choose Your Own Adventure book series. The interactive storytelling skill will launch with two stories — The Abominable Snowman and Journey Under the Sea — which have 28 and 37 potential endings, respectively. Continue Reading
Apple is embarking on a new strategy for its AI department. Notably, Bill Stasior has reportedly been removed as the head of the Siri team, which he had helmed since joining the tech company in 2012. Continue Reading