The Podcast Academy launches submissioon phase of 2027 Ambies
The Podcast Academy announces that submissions are open for the 2027 Ambies, the preeminent awards celebration of podcasting. Click for categories and more. Continue Reading
Spotify graduates “User Notes” from trial
Spotify’s “User Notes” feature was introduced last August, enabling listeners to comment on music tracks — a significant tool which inched Spotify more into the social media realm. Today we learn about the introduction of Spotify Playlist Notes, which invites users and Spotify editors to add descriptions and notes to individual tracks within playlists. Continue Reading
Music publisher sues two AI firms in latest infringement cases
Indie publishing company Round Hill Music has filed the latest in a stream of copyright infringement lawsuits seeking damages from AI companies for using owned music as training material. AI firms Suno and Anthropic — two of the largest — are the targets in this case. Continue Reading
Cumulus “positioned to emerge” with Q2 earnings posted
Cumulus Media released Q2 earnings numbers on Friday, the first comprehensive financial release since initiating Chapter 11 proceedings in March. The numbers came with a brisk statement from CEO Mary Berner. Continue Reading
The diztractables: Gen Z media juggling
We learn from EMarketer that Gen Z podcast listeners have extra room in their brains to consume a second stream of content. Texting is the most popular second stream — 45% of survey respondents do that. When the entire survey… Continue Reading
Townsquare Media Q2: Investors satisfied
Radio giant and digital marketing company Townsquare Media released second-quarter earnings, generally satisfying investor expectations. Click for details. Continue Reading
Cumulus follows bankruptcy plan with layoffs
Nearly four months after Cumulus Media revealed its bankruptcy plan (RAIN HERE), the company has reportedly completed a layoff action across several business units, including the Cumulus Podcast Network. That division remains in operation despite the losses. Also impacted are… Continue Reading
Podcast TV listening continues growth (Edison)
From Edison Research, we receive an update on its continued measurement of podcast listening on television. Very interesting trend. The survey is part of the quarterly Edison Podcast Metrics project, measuring the habits and preferences of 13+ podcast consumers. Continue Reading
Digital becomes radio’s growth engine (RAB report)
The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), official trade association of the U.S. broadcast radio industry, has released a metrics study documenting the growth and standing of digital advertising revenue.
The depth of work in this project results in a 71-page presentation deck, freely available. The report is sponsored by business software and services company Marketron, for the 14th consecutive year. Click for details and a download link.
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Rumor Fact(ory) Spotify tests podcast ad-skipping tool
Spotify is testing a podcast ad-skipping tool. If implemented, such a tool would be offered to premium (paying) users. The assertion is fairly tectonic among podcast content owners and the podcast industry as a whole. Continue Reading
RAIN Time Travel: August 2016 headlines
In this monthly feature, we look back one decade and revisit selected headlines. Today: highlights from August 2016. Continue Reading
Spotify Q2: Rising numbers, milestones, and ambivalent investors
Spotify released its Q2 earnings report, with generally upward-moving numbers and new records set. Those numbers didn’t hit investor expectations, though, creating tumult in the company’s stock movement. Continue Reading