YouTube 20 - RAIN News

Indie-music consortium claims YouTube strong-arming during music service negotiations

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Brad Hill

A global music trade organization representing independent musicians, reportedly issued (then removed) a public complaint and threat during negotiations with Google about a yet-to-be-launched YouTube music service. The publicity around this outburst further legitimizes rumors that YouTube is setting the stage for a dedicated music service, and also purportedly shines light on Google’s aggressive negotiations. Continue Reading →

Yahoo jumps into live concert streaming

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Brad Hill

Yahoo has partnered with Live Nation in an agreement to co-distribute live-streamed concerts at a blistering pace — one concert a day (or night) “for several years.” Yahoo’s main competitive focus in this venture is Google, the leader in video content. Yahoo and Live Nation will funnel users to the the real-time concert stream, only highlights of which will be available later. Continue Reading →

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Pandora Is a Top 5 Smartphone App

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Jennifer Lane

Digital measurement firm comScore released new data on mobile and smartphone usage last week. Two streaming apps, YouTube and Pandora, are in the top five. Pandora’s mobile strategy is the key to the streaming platform’s amazing success. With more than 70% of their listeners on mobile, Pandora understood that concept early and capitalized on it. Continue Reading →

Edison Research: YouTube is radio’s “quiet competitor”

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Brad Hill

YouTube’s influence and audience clout are widely recognized in a general way, but the video platform’s competitive stature is quantified explicitly in new data from Edison Research. In a 44-page slide presentation, one crucial fact is that radio’s most ardent listeners are sharing time with YouTube, especially in the CHR, Urban, and Rock categories. Continue Reading →

Coalition of musicians invests $2M in Audiam, to straighten out YouTube

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Brad Hill

Audiam, a seven-month-old startup, announced closing a $2-million investment round. Notably, the coalition of investors comprises musicians, small-label owners, and producers. The company solves a unique problem, by identifying unauthorized use of recorded music on YouTube, and generating royalties for rights-holders. Continue Reading →

SoundCloud introduces “visual player,” inching closer to YouTube

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Brad Hill

Yesterday we wondered whether SoundCloud could live up to its investors’ aspiration to be the “YouTube of Audio.” The new visual player is an excellent first step in that direction. Click through to see it in action. Continue Reading →

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Last.FM resorts to YouTube-powered player

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Brad Hill

In December we reported revenue declines for CBS-owned Last.FM. Now the company has cut costs with a new video-music player powered by YouTube. The Scrobbler function, which has been Last.FM’s distinguishing feature, connects to the new player. Continue Reading →

SoundCloud’s new $60M funding: Can it be the “YouTube of audio” when YouTube is already the YouTube of audio?

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Brad Hill

Although the deal closed last year, the news is breaking only now: SoundCloud scored $60M of new funding from Institutional Venture Partners (IVP) and the Chernin Group. Investors call SoundCloud the YouTube of audio. Isn’t YouTube already that? Continue Reading →

Viral Audio

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Jennifer Lane

Why is audio less viral than video? Audio has to work harder to be good. But when it is, it’s almost better. What are the elements that make great audio that people will want to share online? Continue Reading →

Oasis dives into the stream

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Brad Hill

British rock band Oasis has yielded to time and trend, adding its 10 albums (representing over 70-million album sales) to Spotify, Rhapsody, Deezer, and Rdio. As usual with announcements like this, but rarely mentioned, YouTube already carries Oasis extensively, with full albums, live performances, official videos, and the band’s own YouTube channel. Continue Reading →

ZUUS challenges YouTube’s service before there is a YouTube service to challenge

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Brad Hill

ZUUS is streaming video playlists. The desktop experience is pleasing, allowing the user to drill into a (limited) suite of genre channels. Perhaps of greater interest are curated video stations such as Village Voice Curated and Cake Shop NYC Curated. Could ZUUS be a Vimeo-like alternative to YouTube’s upcoming music service? Continue Reading →

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MIDiA study analyzes why streaming audio is still niche

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Brad Hill

Internet radio and streaming audio have inched toward mainstream use, but still lag other media consumption types. A new study from MIDiA Consulting (Media Insights & Decisions in Action) seeks to discover why — while profiling digital music users generally. Continue Reading →