In what seems like a progressive and productive initiative, radio distribution giant American Public Media has partnered with enterprise streaming and podcast delivery platform Streamguys, to launch the Inform Media Network. The intent is to support noncommercial public media stations with a private, central marketplace for digital underwriting and sponsorship across podcasting and livestreaming. Continue Reading
American billionaire and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has launched an effort to acquire Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world’s largest music ownership labels. There is a speculative acquisition cot of $64 billion. UMG stock jolted upward and seems to be holding. The takeover could be slowed or conceivably prevented by one family which owns a large share of UMG. Click for details and the chart. Continue Reading
Database and search engine Podchaser has released its first Power Score, a ranking success metric of recently released podcasts. This exercise is intended for advertisers, publicists, and researchers identify high-impact shows. The results provide a comparative measure of success and standing in the podcast ecosystem. Continue Reading
Audacy steps onto the mound (sorry, we’re taking a swing with the puns) with a bit of research and an announcement. The announcement is somewhat buried in the company’s summary of research findings, but we will reverse the order of events. Continue Reading
Delta Airlines has launched an in-flight music discovery initiative, partnering with YouTube Premium. It’s a new programming project that features live music performances recorded inside a Delta Boeing 767 airplane. Continue Reading
Delta Airlines has launched an in-flight music discovery initiative, partnering with YouTube Premium. It’s a new programming project that features live music performances recorded inside a Delta Boeing 767 airplane. More than just a branding exercise for YouTube, the partnership goal is to enroll passengers on YouTube Premium. Continue Reading
In this monthly feature, we look back one decade and revisit selected headlines. Today — highlights from April 2016. In this review we see streaming expand around the world, and many other signs of progress. Happy decade surfing. Musicians… Continue Reading
OpenAI, parent company of ChatGPT and other AI creations, has acquired TBPN (Technology Business Programming Network), a startup founded last year by Jordin Hays and John Coogan. Continue Reading
Audio technology and advertising management company Skyview has been purchased by Steve Jones, who has been President/CEO for seven yers. Continuity is emphasized. Continue Reading
— Parallel moves (iHeartMedia)
— Grading season (Podnews) Continue Reading
Right on schedule, History Daily has released its annual April Fools episode. This year, in what we regard as comedic genius, expert historians uncovered leading podcast advertisers in 1572. The episode is freely available on Spotify. Click for link. Continue Reading
The Radio industry Association of America (RIAA), the 74 year-old trade association of the record industry, has released its 2025 year-end revenue report. It delivers a concise review of total recorded music revenue and its components. Continue Reading