Quick Hits: Tech, telecoms, and Twitter
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Tech and telecoms; Twitter music exec to exit. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has paid out more than $1 million in ad revenue
SoundCloud shared some insights about its program to help creators monetize their tracks. The On SoundCloud campaign has more than 100 people signed up as Premier Partners. Since the program launched in August, it has paid out more than $1 million in ad revenue to labels, audio partners, and artists. Continue Reading
Pureplay of the Day: Leonard Nimoy tribute
It’s too much to say that the RAIN News editorial office is obsessed with Star Trek, but everyone here is a fan. As with many other people around the world, the momentous death of Leonard Nimoy affected us strongly. To find a streaming audio tribute, we turned to a source that is obsessed with Star Trek: Kurt Hanson’s AccuRadio. We weren’t disappointed. Continue Reading
Triton Digital and Edison Research to launch Webcast Metrics for podcasts
Triton Digital is announcing today that it will launch audience measurement for podcasts, in partnership with Edison Research. The new product, called Webcast Metrics On Demand (WCMOD), is slated to be released later this year. Continue Reading
Milestone: Half of U.S. adults use online radio monthly
Edison Research announced a consumer survey milestone: Over half (53%) of U.S. adults (12+) listened to online radio in the past month. Sources include terrestrial station webcasts, online radio like Pandora, and other services like Spotify. The percentage translates to an estimated 143-million people. Continue Reading
Internet Radio Rewind #032: New congressional bill; new podcast network; more
A weekly podcast from RAIN News
Sponsored by AudioBoom
A six-minute blast of news you need to know in streaming audio.
THIS WEEK: Local Radio Freedom Act hits Congress; a new podcast network; Led Zeppelin loosens the leash; streaming audio growth projection; something new for Radioplayer; Russell Brand podcast; Starbucks leaves behind CDs. Continue Reading
Two digital execs leaving Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group has lost two of its top digital executives this week. CEO Lucian Grainge said that UMG would “be making announcements in the coming days” in response to Wells’ exit in particular. Universal has been making some intriguing inroads into the digital space in recent months. Continue Reading
Last Call! Final day to submit your company for RAIN Summit startup showcase
Last day!
RAIN Summits will feature the Streaming Audio’s Startup Economy discussion panel at RAIN Summit West, April 12 in Las Vegas.
Early-stage startups — this is your invitation to apply for a chair on the panel. Present your early-stage business at the premiere information and networking event for the streaming audio industry. Send your submission today! CLICK THROUGH for details. Continue Reading
Björk questions freemium, but embraces other music technologies
Björk has built the reputation as one of music’s more unique and innovative performers and songwriters, so it’s no surprise that many people listen up to hear her perspective on the industry today. In an interview with Fast Company, Björk addressed some of the challenges that go into releasing an album in today’s music market. She has opted to keep her new album off of Spotify over concerns about its freemium business model. Continue Reading
RAIN Summit West features influential lineup of speakers
RAIN Summit West, April 12 in Las Vegas, has posted confirmed speakers to date, featuring some of the most innovative and creative industry professionals. Continue Reading
Pandora loses freedom of speech defense in copyright lawsuit
Flo & Eddie, representing The Turtles, have been cutting a legal swath through audio publishers of late. Most of its lawsuits have focused on Sirius XM, but Pandora was also on the receiving end of a suit seeking royalties and damages for playing songs recorded prior in 1972 when U.S. federal copyright law took effect. Continue Reading
Local Radio Freedom Act arrives in Congress
One of the most intractable issues in music licensing is broadcast radio’s exemption from performance royalties to artists and labels for the use of recorded music. The exemption has the weight of history: It has always been so in the U.S., though not in most other countries with government-regulated music licensing. The situation’s rarity is not of concern to advocates of radio’s licensing privilege, who assert that radio’s traditional role in driving awareness, success, and sales of music performers is as vital today as ever. Continue Reading