RadioPublic lets you send a Podcard for personalized holiday listening
RadioPublic is offering a a gift idea for the podcast fan in your life. The podcast listening and discovery platform is now making Podcards. Continue Reading
AdsWizz shares details from first campaign with its Shake Me smartphone audio ad tech
AdsWizz announced that the first campaign using its Shake Me audio ad format has successfully run. Shake Me is a new digital audio ad format technology designed to encourage mobile listeners to take action without needing to look at the phone. They do so by shaking the phone, or tapping it. Continue Reading
House majority supports status quo on radio royalties
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced that five new House representatives have signed onto the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), making a majority of support. LRFA is a non-binding resolution against any new performance royalty imposed on U.S. radio stations. At issue is broadcast radio’s historic exemption from paying artists and labels for playing music recordings over the air. Continue Reading
Streaming services ask EU regulators to rein in “gatekeeper” behavior by Apple, Amazon
Several tech companies have pitched the European Commission to request limits on behavior from Apple and Amazon that they claim are anti-competitive. Spotify CEO and Co-founder Daniel Ek and Deezer CEO Hans-Holger Albrecht both signed the letter to EU regulators asking for “a level playing field” that prevents some tech giants from “regularly abusing their advantaged position.” Continue Reading
Google Home Max launches, expanding Google’s smart speaker lineup
Google’s latest addition to the smart home speaker space has officially launched. The Google Home Max is now on store shelves both physical and digital. The launch draws Google’s smart speaker offerings closer in line to market-leader Amazon, although the Echo line is still leading in adoption. Continue Reading
Pandora rolls out Premium listening sessions in exchange for video ad view
Streaming services have explored many options to tease premium features to their free listeners. Pandora is new offering its ad-supported listeners and its mid-tier Pandora Plus listeners a chance to try out a Pandora Premium session in exchange for viewing a video ad. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio powering first music option for Jibo voice-activated assistant
iHeartRadio has entered a partnership with Jibo to launch Jibo Music. The music features have been added to the Jibo product, a cross between a voice-activated smart speaker and a cute robot. Jibo owners will automatically get access to iHeartRadio music through a software update beginning on Monday. Continue Reading
Rumor: Norwegian paper claims Tidal will go broke in six months
A report from Norway’s Dagens Naeringsliv claims that Tidal is in serious financial trouble. The article claims that company lost $44 million dollars before taxes in 2016 and says Tidal only has six months of cash left. It reportedly based the information on the accounts of parent company Project Panther Bidco. But is there any truth to it? Continue Reading
Survey: People use voice controls for hands free (and for fun)
Voice controls aren’t just for smart speakers. Pew Research Center surveyed U.S. adults who use voice assistants and learned that 46% said they use the technology to interact with smartphones and other devices. The most common device was a smartphone, leading with 42% of respondents. Continue Reading
Steve Goldstein: Which Podcast Categories Have the Most Titles? You May Be Surprised
by Steve Goldstein
Amplifi Media CEO Steve Goldstein pens a follow-up to his investigation into the type of shows topping podcast charts. This time, it’s a look at which categories are the most crowded. Continue Reading
Triton Digital lands South Africa partnership with 365 Digital
Triton Digital announced a partnership with 365 Digital, a digital publisher solutions business in South Africa. In the new deal, 365 Digital will leverage Triton’s a2x programmatic exchange and will promote its benefits to local publishers and advertisers in the country. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: Three startups in podcast tech and support
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. Podcasting is on the rise, and as with any hot concept, several startups have already emerged to fill specialized needs. Here’s a look at three newcomers: Descript, Backtracks, and Shortcut. Continue Reading