Shazam released an update to strengthen its integration with Rdio and Spotify. Users could already listen to full songs from those platforms within the Shazam app. The recent update delivers the ability to add songs to playlists on those streaming services without leaving the Shazam app. Continue Reading
Radio Disney is continuing its digital revitalization with a launch on iHeartRadio. The Radio Disney programming will now be accessible on iHeartRadio apps across all 60 of its available platforms. Continue Reading
Spreaker announced a new feature with the launch of the Adore podcast network. This series of eight shows is selected and powered by Spreaker, but will live on a separate website. “This new Adore Network is an effort to promote, feature and drive advertising revenue to shows on the Spreaker platform,” said Rob Greenlee. Continue Reading
Apple has finally issued official numbers, with the announcement that Apple Music has 11 million trial members. Eddy Cue, the tech company’s senior vice president, spoke to USA Today about the streaming service’s performance so far. RAIN News’ Brad Hill and Anna Washenko each weigh in on whether 11 million is enough. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes in the audio industry. Spotify’s content officer exits, while Isolation/INgrooves announce a new CEO. Continue Reading
Universal Music Group has hired Jay Frank to serve as its senior vice president of global streaming marketing. In this role, he will be tasked with using data to maximize performance on streaming platforms for UMG’s artists, in addition to analyzing the effectiveness of UMG’s streaming marketing campaigns. He’ll also be responsible for curating and managing the company’s global playlists and coordinating playlist strategy for all Universal labels. Continue Reading
The Download on Podcasts is a weekly feature sponsored by PodcastOne.
In the space of two weeks, Midroll Media was wholly acquired by the venerable media company E.W. Scripps, and PodcastOne (sponsor of this weekly column) was partially acquired by Hubbard Radio, which bought into a 30% equity stake and collaborative partnership. Personalization is the hinge between radio and podcasting.
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ROK Mobile announced a UK launch of its music streaming bundle. The company offers unlimited calls and texts and 4GB of data on top of a custom streaming platform. The service will cost £24.99 a month, or about $39. Continue Reading
One of the biggest highlights of the new Apple Music streaming platform is certainly the ambitious Beats 1 radio project. But the latest industry rumors hint that Beats 1 may not stand alone forever. According to The Verge, inside sources have revealed that Apple’s contracts with labels allow the tech giant to launch up to five additional stations without renegotiating. That means that we could very likely see (and hear) a Beats 2 through Beats 6 joining the broadcast offerings. Continue Reading
SoundExchange announced that it has surpassed $3 billion in digital royalties paid to recording artists and labels since 2003. Last year, the organization issued payments of $773 million, representing about 16% of total revenue from the entire U.S. recorded music industry. Continue Reading
Guest columnist Steve Goldstein left Saga Communications in March to start on-demand audio company Amplifi Media. In this article, he reports on the charged energy at the recent Podcast Movement conference where he spoke … and notes a striking absence of broadcasters. Continue Reading
As Pandora approaches its 10-year anniversary, the online radio company is launching a new campaign for brand awareness that loops in a surprising media source: TV. The new video ad is already out online, but it will move to broadcast television in the fall. Continue Reading