Nielsen posted a fascinating infographic called Music Mapped Out that carves the U.S. into regions, and analyzes how their populations listen to, and pay for, music. It’s an interesting view of music consumption. Which U.S. region streams the most? (Hint: think coastal.) Continue Reading
This morning Billboard reported Nielsen SoundScan’s sales and streaming numbers for the first quarter. Track and album sales are down, at an accelerating pace. Meanwhile, streaming is up, and an interesting revenue calculation indicates that streaming growth outpaces the decrease in downloads. Continue Reading
Nielsen-owned (as of February) Harris Interactive conducts an annual nationwide poll of U.S. consumers to determine what it calls “brand equity.” Harris has released the 2014 edition, and called out streaming services for their rapid gain in positive brand recognition over the last two years. Continue Reading
RAIN founder Kurt Hanson calculates how a legendary Milwaukee radio station could improve a surprisingly low Nielsen rating. What can you do with an underperforming AM signal nowadays? What’s the best use of heritage call letters? Is “live and local” a viable option? Continue Reading
It seems like a done deal, as Nielsen quickly started integrating Arbitron into its operations after a September acquisition, setting up the Nielsen Audio division and making small changes to ratings measurements. But a second part of the deal starts now. Continue Reading
The five most-read articles this week. Pandora’s astounding valuation; a unique new advertising partnership; a guest column by Jennifer Lane; a new music service is like Pinterest for music; Nielsen reports sharp growth of streaming music in 2013. Continue Reading
Rob Greenlee has been working with podcasts since 1999, is currently content manager for podcasts for Windows Phone, the latest role in a long series of positions with Microsoft. He is co-host of The New Media Show, a video podcast about the business of podcasting. We spoke with Rob Greenlee about The New Media Show, and the business of podcasting generally. Continue Reading
Nielsen reports that 118-billion streams were served in 2013 on a slate of measured platforms, representing a 32 percent year-over-year rise in that mode of listening. Measured listening platforms include at least 10 popular services. The report does not delineate mobile listening from desktop streams. Continue Reading
When Nielsen acquired Arbitron in September, visions of unification sprang into the minds of observers. Among Internet brands, Pandora arguably has the most to gain by holistic audience measurement. But as lean-back listening is more emphasized in Spotify, Rhapsody, and iTunes, many stakeholders want change in 2014. Continue Reading
Nielsen released its annual Music 360 survey report this week. Two of the headline points are that radio is the dominant music-discovery medium, and that teens listen to music in YouTube more than any other source. RAIN spoke to David… Continue Reading
In the first methodology change after the acquisition of Arbitron, and its rebranding as Nielsen Audio, Nielsen has announced it will include radio online reruns in its ratings, according to Inside Radio and Audio4cast. The decision is an inching movement… Continue Reading
Selling inventory across properties and platforms is historically difficult, plagued by confusion for the buyer and heavy educational lift for the seller. Part of the challenge lies in reconciling different measurement methods. When media planners must grapple with opportunities defined… Continue Reading