Spotify will launch a third subscription tier to its legacy two-tier access, introducing a “Supremium” plan above its current subscription and free-listening options. This according the Ashley Carman’s reporting at Bloomberg — and CEO Daniel Ek promised it during the Q1 earnings call. We look at the rumored benefits, and compare to competitors. Featuring RAIN’s Spotify user growth chart. Continue Reading
Amazon has launched Amp, a social audio platform with an interesting focus on building music shows. While early reports compare Amp to Clubhouse, Amazon’s promotional emphasis is on building interactive music shows, something like live, interactive radio. It also takes a stab at Spotify Shows. Continue Reading
Apple top-10 charter and NPR hit How I Built This with Guy Roz has been licensed by Amazon Music subsidiary Wondery for semi-exclusive distribution. Wondery and Amazon get the show exclusively for a week, and also enjoy exclusive ad-repping. NPR continues to underwrite. Click for details. Continue Reading
For the second time this week, Audible’s executive staff has been raided. This time it’s an in-house raid. Jessica Radburn, formerly Senior Director of Global Content Programming at Audible, was hired by Amazon Music podcast subsidiary Wondery. Details within. Continue Reading
Amazon Music has introduced synchronized, navigable transcripts to selected podcasts. We test the new feature, and find it well executed on the whole, delightful to use, and an important usability innovation. Click for details. Continue Reading
The rights to the Smartless podcast, a comedy/celebrity interview show hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, have been acquired by Amazon. The reported price for the three-year deal is $80-million, and Amazon will deploy a windowed exclusivity model, starting August 1. Continue Reading
Amazon has acquired ART19 for its Amazon Music distribution platform. ART19 has long been one of the most innovative and future-tech podcast hosting and monetization platforms. The acquisition puts a third leg on Amazon’s podcast stool, joining the Wondery acquisition in December and Amazon Music’s distribution power through Alexa smart speakers. Continue Reading
Hi-Res audio (also called Hi-Def, HD, HiFi, and other nicknames) has been an added value feature in music streaming apps since Tidal charted that course with its 2x pricing model. Now that business model is at risk of being debunked. We test Amazon’s ULTRA HD. Continue Reading
Amazon Audio Ads, a division of Amazon Music, is working with GroupM to evangelize digital audio advertising and give the agency’s clients favorable access and terms. Click for details. Continue Reading
Wondery founder Hernan Lopez announced that Apple TV+ is set to produce We Crashed, an adaptation of Wondery’s podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork. The limited run series will star Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. It will be produced by Apple Studios. Continue Reading
Online audio has long been one of the central topics in the Infinite Dial survey, both in tracking overall consumption and in monitoring brand rivalries in the U.S. Monthly online audio listening in the U.S. reached 68%, or an estimated 192 million, in 2020. While younger generations have often been the drivers of digital uptake, this time the growth happened in older age groups. Continue Reading
Amazon is launching analytics for performers using its streaming service. Amazon Music for Artists is available as an app for Android and iOS devices, with a companion website. The app is launching as a beta. Continue Reading