One month of Apple Podcast Analytics: How’s it going?

Apple rolled out the beta version of its hotly-anticipated podcast analytics in December, meaning show producers have had about a month to collect and assess new amounts of data around how their work performs in one of the most important podcast platforms. Wired spoke to several industry leaders about Apple Podcast Analytics, and their early findings support the anecdotal evidence that podcast listeners are indeed deeply engaged with and supportive of their shows. Continue Reading

CRB rate increase: not necessarily 44% (a look at Pandora)

As the new Copyright Royalty Board rate ruling sinks in today, we look at how it might affect Pandora. Using the company’s 2017 Annual Report and financials from the most recent earnings report, it becomes clear that the new rates will not apply to most of Pandora’s royalty cost, and that the simple 44% CRB rate hike is actually more complicated … and lower. Continue Reading

PRX announces partnerships with Night Vale Presents and Gen-Z Media

Media company PRX announced new partnerships with two podcasting networks: Gen-Z Media and Night Vale Presents. PRX will provide marketing, ad sales, and technology for the existing and in-development shows at both networks. Gen-Z Media focuses on properties for children, tweens, and families, while Night Vale Presents emphasizes new voices and content that pushes the bounds of the audio format. Continue Reading

James Cridland’s Future of Radio: Scripps – radio out, podcasting in; and triplej’s Hottest 100 shows radio still big for the young

by James Cridland

James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Analyzing Scripps’ move to cut radio and focus on podcasts. Other news from the the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and more. Continue Reading

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In historic ruling, Copyright Royalty Board dramatically raises royalties for streaming services

The Copyright Royalty Board has announced the new rates for mechanical royalties to be paid by streaming music services. As announced on Jan. 27, streaming platforms will pay out royalties to songwriters and composers as a share of their revenue. By 2022, the share for mechanical royalties will be 15.1% of the streaming platform’s revenue. Read on for the full rate ruling and reactions from both publishers’ and songwriters’ organizations. Continue Reading