SESAC Signs New Broadcast Radio Deal At Rates It Says Are 50% Higher Than ASCAP

SESAC has signed a new deal with U.S. radio broadcasters. The performing rights organization claims that its new deal, the result of arbitration, are at rates 50% per higher than published reports of those paid to members of competitor ASCAP. _________________________________________ Performing rights organization SESAC has announced that its arbitration…

Radio Faces Big Test In Pennsylvania That Will Affect Whole Country

A new antitrust battle is set to take place between the Radio Music License Committee, representing 10k or so radio stations and Irving Azoff’s Global Music Rights, LLC. The case could have lasting repercussions for the future of music licensing negotiations. ______________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0…

Sirius XM Q2 Revenue Up 9%, Subscribers Pass 32 Million

Sirius XM exceeded investor expectations with a strong Q2 report. News that revenue was up 9% for the quarter to $1.3 billion and subscriptions grew 466,000 to 32 million sent the stock up 8% by mid-afternoon on Thursday. Sirius XM Q2 2017 Earnings Highlights Net Self-Pay Subscribers Grow 466,000; Total…

MTV Video Music Awards Nominees 2017 – Full List

MTV has announced the nominees nominations for the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards. Kendrick Lamar scored eight nominations for his video “HUMBLE.” Katy Perry and The Weeknd are tied for five nominations each. _____________________________________________ MTV today announced nominations for the 2017 “MTV Video Music Awards” exclusively on Instagram Live. Building…

Radio And How Better Data Changed It Forever

While many are unhappy with the repetitive, commercial heavy nature of radio today, it’s important to keep in mind that radio was not always this way. In this article we explore how the introduction of better data to radio programmers served to shape the nature of modern radio. ____________________________ Guest…

Thought Pop Music Was The Most Listened To Genre? Guess Again

As a consumer of radio, it’s easy to assume that Pop is the most popular genre in the US, but a new report from BuzzAngle offers up some contrary data, revealing that Hip-Hop is in fact winner, with Pop coming up in second place. ___________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski…

Radio Still Has A Wider Weekly Reach Than Smartphones, TV [CHART]

With all of the press and meteoric growth of streaming, it easy to discount radio. But for shear monthly reach, nothing beats it., as this chart shows. __________________________________________________ From recent Nielsen report charted for Business Insider by Statista. Related articles Talking Turntable: How Not To Launch A Music Tech Startup…

With Spotify’s New "Sponsored Songs" Labels Can Pay For Song Plays

Spotify is testing "Sponsored Songs" which gives labels the ability to pay to have songs featured on the music streamer’s free tier. While "pay to play" or payola is illegal on terrestrial radio, there are no regulations that prohibit it on internet streamers like Spotify. ____________________________________________ Spotify is testing "Sponsored…

Sam Selolwane Promoted To SVP Urban Promotion At RCA

RCA Records has promoted Sam Selolwane to the post of Senior Vice President Urban Promotion. Now one of the all too rare women of color in a senior executive role at a major label, Selolwane will be based in the RCA’s New York offices and report to report to Geo…

Sirius XM’s $480 Million Pandora Investment Just Prolongs The Inevitable [Bobby Owsinski]

A company which has been facing series of woes, Pandora recently rejected a full buyout from Sirius XM, instead opting for a large cash injection, as well as giving up almost a fifth of its stock and three seats on the its board, although Sirius XM’s ownership of the floundering…