Apple Introduces iTunes 10 With Ping

Ping Social Music Discovery Now Available to 160 Million iTunes Users in 23 Countries

SAN FRANCISCO-September 1, 2010-Apple® today introduced iTunes® 10 with Ping, a new music-oriented social network for following your favorite artists and friends to discover what music they're talking about, listening to and downloading. iTunes Ping lets you post your thoughts and opinions, your favorite albums and songs, the music you've downloaded from iTunes, plus view concert listings and tell your friends which concerts you plan to attend. iTunes 10 also features HD TV show rentals* for just 99 cents an episode and AirPlay wireless music playback.

"iTunes is the number one music community in the world, with over 160 million iTunes users in 23 countries, and now we're adding social networking with Ping," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "With Ping you can follow your favorite artists and friends and join a worldwide conversation with music's most passionate fans."

Ping lets you follow your favorite artists to see what they're up to, check out photos and videos they've posted, see their tour dates and read comments about other artists and albums they're listening to. You can also create a profile on iTunes to let your friends know who you're following, what you're listening to and which concerts you're going to. There's no better way to discover new music than to find out what your friends are listening to, and Ping's Recent Activity feed shows you their posts about artists, albums, songs and concerts, plus a consolidated Top 10 list of the songs and albums your friends and the artists you follow are downloading from iTunes. In addition to using Ping on your desktop computer, you can take it with you on your iPhone® or iPod touch®,** so you're always plugged into your personal music scene.

With iTunes 10, you can rent your favorite HD TV shows commercial free from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America and watch them at home or on the go for just 99 cents an episode. Thousands of episodes are available, many the day after broadcast, to watch on your Mac® or PC, iPhone, iPod touch and the all-new Apple TV®, and you have 30 days from the moment you rent an episode to start watching it, and 48 hours after that to finish it.

iTunes 10 also features AirPlay wireless music playback to listen to your music on remote speakers using Apple's AirPort Express® base station. In addition, AirPlay now works without AirPort Express, using speakers, receivers and stereo systems from companies including Bowers & Wilkins, JBL, Denon and iHome, so you can enjoy your entire iTunes music library wirelessly from any room in the house with no extra gear required.

iTunes 10 is available immediately as a free download at http://www.itunes.com/.

The iTunes Store® has a catalog of over 14 million songs, over 65,000 TV episodes and over 10,000 movies including over 3,000 in stunning high definition video. With Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iTunes Movie Rentals, integrated podcasting support, the ability to turn previously purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seamless integration with iPod®, iPad™ and iPhone, the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.

*HD TV show rentals require iOS 4.1, which is a free software update available via iTunes 10 or later for iPhone and iPod touch users. iOS 4.1 works with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and second, third and fourth generation iPod touch. 99 cent HD TV rentals only available in the US.

**Ping for iPhone and iPod touch requires iOS 4 or later, which is a free software update available via iTunes 9.2 or later for iPhone and iPod touch users. iOS 4 works with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and second, third and fourth generation iPod touch.

***Tour info for Concert pages is provided by Live Nation Entertainment, a provider of live recordings to iTunes.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Streaming Music Cuts Down on Piracy?

In a survey conducted in Norway by Norstat, streaming music, like Pandora, results in less illegal downloading.

Survey shows one in three Norwegians have streamed music. Of those that streamed, 60% felt more up-to-date, 68% listened to more music than they did before streaming, and 72% said streaming services helped them discover new music.

It also showed that far more men than women have streamed music: 43% versus 19%. Streaming was also far more popular in urban than rural areas (46% versus 21%).

As for illegal downloading, 54% of those surveyed said that streaming music made them stop illegally downloading songs.

"We believe that streaming is a giant step in the right direction, both for people in general and for the music industry, and it is definitely a part of the solution for the future. The key success factor is to develop payment solutions that satisfy the whole music machinery," said Norstat.

Internet Radio Growing in European Markets

Streaming technology to distribute Internet Radio already existed more than ten years ago, when the first audio streams were available on the World Wide Web. However, for a long time it was only possible to listen to Internet Radio via a PC.

Nowadays tabletop Radios are not only able to receive several thousand radio stations from all over the world via the Internet; the feature can now also be found in Audio Home Systems, Hi-Fi Receivers, Tuners and even Radio Recorders and Clock Radios. In the majority of the audio product groups, the share of Internet radio is still low.

With a growth rate of +33.9% in six European countries (EU 6*) between January and June 2010 compared to the previous year Internet Radio is currently one of the fastest growing segments within Audio.

*EU 6: Germany, France, Great Britain, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands
Source: http://bit.ly/bcdDLY

Networked Audio Market Soars as BridgeCo Leads the Way in Consumer Electronics Connectivity

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BridgeCo Inc. (http://www.bridgeco.com/), a leader in consumer electronics connectivity, announced the rapid growth of its business and the expansion of its tier 1 customer base, as analysts report the sales of networked audio devices are quickly climbing.

Despite the recession, “Sales of networked audio products increased to 3.7 million units in 2009 and is expected to be more than 56 million by 20151,” reported analyst and Director, Jason Blackwell of ABI Research in May 2010. “Revenues for networked audio devices will grow from $1.3 billion in 2009 to more than $10.7 billion in 2015, a CAGR of 32.4%1.”

As the connected audio and music streaming market takes off, BridgeCo’s business is also expanding. The production of BridgeCo-based tier 1 customer products has exponentially expanded, doubling year over year for the last three years. By 2009, BridgeCo had 70% of the tier 1 players in the consumer electronics connectivity audio market as customers, including Denon, Pioneer, Harman Kardon, Phillips, and Nokia – with more Tier 1’s to be announced soon.

“We see BridgeCo in a leadership position in this category of technology, enabling some of the biggest and most active CE brands with these new capabilities,” concluded analyst Jason Blackwell of ABI Research.

The 2009 sales of networked audio devices add to a base of “Eight percent of U.S. broadband households – a little more than five million households2,” that currently own networked digital music streaming systems, according to Parks Associates’ VP and Principal Analyst, Kurt Scherf in a 2010 April report.

A variety of market drivers converged to create this rapidly growing market, according to ABI Research1:

The number of home networks worldwide has grown.

Consumers have embraced digital media players like iPods and the amount of digital audio content purchased and stored on devices has skyrocketed.

Services like Pandora, Rhapsody, and others have dramatically increased the listener base on the PC, and now consumers want to take that listening experience to other devices like iPod docking stations, mobile phones and Internet radios.

“In the past, there were major obstacles to networked audio devices, including: high price points, system complexity and consumer interest. Complete multi-room systems exceed the budgets of mainstream consumers. Connecting network devices was inherently complex and confusing to many consumers - If they struggle with set-up, they will return it to the store. And while awareness of networking is on the rise, it takes interesting products and experiences to convince consumers to take the plunge and purchase a networked audio device (or system) 1.”

BridgeCo’s products, which bring network and Internet connectivity features to individual consumer electronic products, solves the market inhibitors of the past:

BridgeCo technology does not require consumers to purchase whole house systems, allowing consumers to purchase individual products with connectivity, drastically reducing the cost to consumers.

BridgeCo can cost effectively add connectivity, Internet radio, music streaming, and services like Pandora and Rhapsody to any audio consumer electronic at retail price points down to $250 – with new technology coming in 2011 that will drop that price point even further.

Products with BridgeCo’s technology have automatic recognition and connection to WiFi networks, making set-up trouble free. And connection to the home networks is equally as simple with BridgeCo-based consumer electronics.

BridgeCo technology gives consumers lots of exciting and interesting experiences, including 12,000 Internet radio stations from around the world, the creation of personalized radio stations through Pandora and unlimited streaming audio content through Rhapsody’s service. BridgeCo offers manufacturers of audio products 80 different software and service choices to customize their products and the customers’ experience.

“Companies such as BridgeCo, which develops embedded solutions for connected audio, are helping to expand the market into existing categories of audio products, including AV receivers, Internet radios, MP3/iPod docks, home-theater-in-a-box systems, soundbars, and other products," according to the Parks Associates report2.

And markets for many of those audio products are also taking off. “Soundbar sales are still soaring and are perched to remain the rising star in the years ahead,” according to the Consumer Electronics Association3. “CEA forecasts soundbar sales to hit $45 million in 2009 and accelerate each year, generating $96 million in revenue by 2013. In 2009, portable audio products contributed $6.5 billion to the industry’s bottom line, with MP3 players still comprising three-quarters of the total volume ($4.9 billion) 3.”

“BridgeCo’s cooperation with market analysts has helped to understand key industry trends and consumer needs to drive connectivity in the CE audio space,” said Gene Sheridan, BridgeCo CEO. “"With these technology & market insights, BridgeCo is building a leadership position with the top CE brands in the world in creating next-generation audio equipment. We partner with the best companies in the world and enable them to participate in this extraordinary growth opportunity in creating the future of digital music.”

About BridgeCo

BridgeCo is a venture capital backed technology company that is leading the connectivity revolution in consumer electronics – enabling the biggest CE brands to bring a world of music to every room in the home. BridgeCo’s industry-leading JukeBlox technology integrates a full software stack and an advanced network media processor into a WiFi network media module bringing media and music streaming to any home music system. BridgeCo is an ISO 9001 certified company with operations in El Segundo, California, Bangalore, India and sales offices around the world.

1 - May 2010, Networked Home Audio, ABI Research, Jason Blackwell, Analyst & Practice Director

2 - April 2010, “The Digital Home” Parks Associates by Kurt Scherf, Vice President and Principal Analyst

3 - January 2010, Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts, Consumer Electronics Association

Q2 Revenues were up 7% for The Nielsen Company

With a $1.75 billion IPO pending, the CFO of The Nielsen Company was restricted in what he could say in the company’s Q2 conference call. But Brian West was upbeat in his comments to bond analysts and reported decent growth for the quarter.

The Watch segment, which includes Nielsen’s broadcast ratings businesses, posted a revenue gain of 7.2% to $432 million. Adjusted for currency fluctuations, the improvement was 6.6%.Operating income decreased slightly to $85 million from $87 million a year earlier. The company said increased revenue was more than offset by the costs associated with its “Three Screen” measurement initiatives.

Even stronger growth came in the Buy segment, where the company tracks consumer behavior. Revenues gained 9.2% to $800 million, or 8.3% on a constant currency basis. Operating income jumped to $118 million from $103 million in Q2 of 2009. Most of that growth came in developing markets, with revenues from developed markets relatively flat.

Nielsen’s trade show business continued to be soft, with the Expositions segment reporting revenues down 17.8% to $38 million, due to “declines in exhibitor attendance.” Nevertheless, cost savings paid off as the Expositions segment turned from an operating loss of $4 million a year ago to operating income of $8 million in Q2 of 2010.

In all, Q2 revenues for The Nielsen Company were up 7% to $1.27 billion. Operating income improved to $183 million from $172 million a year earlier.

As he discussed the quarter with analysts, West said growth in the Watch segment was primarily driven by “mid single digit volume increases in our television audience measurement business and with new clients in the US, along with double digit growth in our online and mobile business.”

Looking ahead, West said, “we believe we have the right model going after the right products in the market to help our clients grow.” The company did not provide any specific forward guidance.

Credit Source: http://bit.ly/a5ntAC

SNL Kagan on "The Future of Online Radio Revenue"

On July 21, 2010, SNL Kagan hosted a webinar to discuss "The Future of Online Radio Revenue."

Here are some interesting findings from the webinar:

Digital radio ad revenue (including internet, mobile, and interactive) is growing quickly, but is still a small percentage of total radio revenues. However, streaming and mobile applications are essential for continual growth.

The per-performance fee for larger pure-play webcasters is 0.097 cents per streamed song in 2010 and climbs to 0.14 cents per song in 2015.

Radio’s digital revenue will double, from $552 million this year to $1 billion in 2015. That would make it account for 5.3% of radio's total revenue, up from 3.2% this year.

Mobile is a big driver and viewed as “the next big thing” by online broadcasters. Smartphone owners - now 120 million strong - are expected to reach 221 million by 2015. “The advent of mobile has grown the industry and transformed the business model,” said SNL Kagan associate director Robin Flynn. Advertisers are paying a premium for targeted in-stream audio ads.

10 Reasons Satellite Radio Rocks by Sheryl Owen

One of our readers, Sheryl Owen, wrote an article entitled "10 Reasons Satellite Radio Rocks" and asked us if we could share with our readers.  If you have an interesting article you'd like to share with us, we will be more than happy to repost your article on our blog... as long as it has to do with radio, of course :)

10 Reasons Satellite Radio Rocks by Sheryl Owen

Satellite Radio is becoming increasingly popular in America and around the world. I suppose there are a lot of different reasons why including several that are extremely subjective. So, here is my very subjective take on satellite radio because, I flat out love my XM radio. Before I get too far… I still call it XM radio (sorry Sirius… I know who owns it so give me a break please). Here are 10 Reasons Why Satellite Radio Rocks:

It comes with new cars (used ones too if you are lucky like I was). I recently purchased a new car (well, new to me it was actually a used 2008 Toyota Sequoia). To my surprise it came with XM satellite radio (http://www.xmradio.com/) fully activated for my enjoyment which I’m sure will end sometime soon, but the fact that it came with even my used car made it super convenient and may have been the only way I would ever have tried their service.

You can try it out to see if you like it in most cases. Especially when you get a new vehicle you generally will have a 30, 60, or 90 day free trial where you can test out their service before subscribing for an extended period of time. If you go to their website you can also try before you buy easily with a free 30-day trial ad right on the homepage.

The quality of the sound is consistent and significantly better than my FM radio (forget about AM, it’s not even close as XM is crystal clear for those programs as well). So whether I am listening to music or news I know I’ll hear the full song or story static free with XM.

The number of stations is actually a bit overkill, but it’s really nice to have. When my family is in the mall shopping and I am out napping in the car, I can spend countless minutes just playing with the various stations on my XM radio.

The number of international stations is of course non comparable to any other radio. I can listen to news from multiple country’s perspectives which I find very interesting. Especially when it comes to things like the big BP oil spill in the gulf. The way that people in England think and the way Americans think on this issue is totally different.

Radio Disney – for the kids (wink, wink, …). Actually my kids are huge fans of all the Disney stars so it actually is really great to have Radio Disney available to us for long or sometimes even short road trips. Keeping the kids entertained goes a long ways in making the ride more enjoyable.

Better news channels are a given. Not only do I get the international viewpoints as mentioned above but there are literally dozens of news channels ranging from liberal to conservative that help to keep me informed on all of the current events (with the improved choice I can get a better feel for the spin being put on each story).

Better talk radio… If you are a fan of talk radio then XM is great for you because you get to hear your favorite programs in digital clarity. Whether it’s Glen Beck or Dave Ramsey you are after they are all there: http://www.xmradio.com/talkradio.  

Wherever you go… your stations go with you. Wow! What a difference! I can’t tell you how much time I used to waste trying to find a station driving from town to town while on the road. I don’t have to worry about that at all anymore because the stations I love are always available to me regardless of where I am on the highway.

Home, car, work, sat radio is portable. So I am so addicted to satellite radio that I have it in my car, a docking station at home, and at work. I just really appreciate being able to have this service available to me 24×7. I actually really do love my satellite radio!

NAB HD Radio Multicast Award

There’s still time to submit your nomination for the National Association of Broadcasters HD Radio Multicast Award! The deadline to submit entries is July 30, 2010.

The NAB HD Radio Multicast Award was established in 2007 and recognizes stations utilizing HD Radio technology through innovative or groundbreaking programming on a multicast channel. Stations were asked to submit information including programming, on-air personalities, promotions and branding elements that establish the multicast channel with a separate identity from the main station. KBCO-FM Denver's "The Studio C Channel" and WRIF-FM Detroit's "Riff2" were the first stations to receive the NAB HD Radio Multicast Award.

Nominations for the NAB HD Radio Multicast Award will be accepted until July 30, 2010.

This award recognizes a station's unique, innovative or groundbreaking programming on a multicast channel. The station to receive this award is considered at the forefront of HD programming and utilizes this technology to further enhance Radio's overall value to the listening audience.

To be eligible, stations must be NAB members and located within the United States. The winner will be announced in advance, and will be presented with their award during the Radio Show in Washington, DC.

Click here for the nomination form.

News/Talk Remains Most Listened to Public Radio Format United States

Today Arbitron announced the release of Public Radio Today, 2010 Edition.

Public Radio Today, 2010 Edition is an analysis of audience demographics and listening patterns of the nine most popular public radio formats:

1. News/Talk

2. News-Classical

3. Classical Music

4. News-Music

5. Adult Album Alternative (AAA)

6. Jazz

7. News-Jazz

8. Variety Music

9. News-AAA

“Public radio continues to be a vibrant and relevant part of many Americans’ lives,” said Chris Meinhardt, Arbitron Inc. “The medium plays an important role in today’s media landscape by providing important programming not available anywhere else. Public radio is also meeting the challenges of a crowded media landscape by taking full advantage of technological innovations, including podcasting, Internet streaming and HD Radio® multicasting.”

Here are some highlights Arbitron posted:

• News/Talk captures nearly half of all public radio listening and remains the most-listened-to public radio format in the nation, with twelve more stations adopting the format in 2009.
• News/Classical lost 13 stations nationwide (from 263 in 2008 to 250 in 2009) but increased its share by 1 percentage point from 20.2 in 2008 to 21.2 in 2009.
• The addition of nine Classical stations, combined with a steady decline in the number of commercial Classical stations, increased from a 13.7 share in 2008 to 15.4 in 2010, the largest increase of any public radio format in 2009.
• Formerly known as AAA/Eclectic, Adult Album Alternative (AAA) had 11 fewer stations in Fall 2009 compared to a year earlier, but its numbers are relatively stable.
• Twenty-six new Variety Music stations helped boost the format from a 1.7 share to a 2.2 share of the public radio audience in 2009.
• Thirty-nine stations that were formerly recognized as News, AAA or News-Music are now classified as News-AAA.

Click here to download your own free copy of Public Radio Today, 2010 Edition.

BMI Agrees on Lower Interim Rates

BMI and the Radio Music License Committee have agreed on new interim rates, which will be taking effect August 1, 2010. These rates are lower than the temporary rates which took effect on January 1, 2010.

“The Radio Music License Committee and BMI have reached an interim fee agreement in the radio industry's rate making proceeding which began earlier this year. The interim fee agreement takes effect August 1, 2010, and calls for an industry fee reduction from $217 million to $192 million. (This follows BMI's voluntarily agreeing to provisionally lower fees paid by the industry from $233 million to $217 million as of January 1, 2010),” said a joint statement.

“The parties agreed to these terms in order to expedite court determination of an appropriate final fee retroactive to January 1, 2010. The agreement was reached by the parties without prejudice as to final fee consideration,” the statement added.