We are not surprised that Steve chose the (unconfirmed but generally believed) upending report that Spotify is developing an ad-skipping button for podcasts. As always, this column’s argument is cogent: It’s a battle between listening experience and publisher monetization. Read straight through to Steve’s punch-in-the-gut final line. Continue Reading
Bygone (Columbia House Record Club)
Ditching the human (Time Magazine)
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iHeartMedia is announcing that one of its celebrity properties, The Martha Stewart Podcast, will expand its publication footprint to Netflix starting this week. The movement is part of what the principals call a “growing exclusive video podcast partnership.” Continue Reading
Christian/conservative multimedia company Salem Media has completed its acquisition by WaterStone (also known as The Christian Community Foundation). Continue Reading
Music streaming giant Spotify has added a new chapter to its novelistic finances with a stock share repurchase program, just authorized by the company Board. Investors appear to approve. Continue Reading
As the identification of AI-made audio content continues to be a mandate in some settings, we learn that Apple Music is starting to require “Made With AI” labels on AI-created music uploads. Continue Reading
A stat is circulating on LinkedIn and in newsletters stating that only 10 out of the top 200 podcasts have video. The implication being that 95% of podcasters aren’t doing video. Guest columnist Steve Goldstein notes that It’s a comforting number if you’ve been skeptical of the video push, and an alarming one if you just spent money building a studio. The only problem is the stat is out of context. Continue Reading
Quote Marked is a feature of the RAIN Daily Digest email newsletter. In this special Quote Marked website edition, we are highlighting industry reactions to National Radio Day. Continue Reading
Non-thieving exposure (Dave Van Dyke)
Approval with conditions(Cumulus Media)
Perrennial topic(Podglomerate) Continue Reading
YouTube has opened the gates of controversy with an announcement defining how it will count a video view. There’s no complex formula or sophisticated calculation.Starting August 24, YouTube will count a public video view from the first frame that plays.… Continue Reading
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’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