US Archives

Smart Speaker use increases in US during quarantine

03/05/2020

Smart Speaker use increases in US during quarantine with over a third of US adults listening to more news and information since the COVID-19 outbreak according to recent research by NPR and Edison Research. The Smart Audio Report Spring 2020 found that 77% of those in the US age 18+ are experiencing a change in their typical routine due to the outbreak of COVID-19 following the 1st April, and voice-assistant usage has expanded during these […]

SOURCE: RIAA - US Latn Music Revenues (Retail)

Latin music in US grows at twice the rate of overall market

02/05/2020

Latin music in US grows at twice the rate of overall market in 2019 according to figures released by the RIAA, the US recording industry association. Revenues from Latin music in the US grew 28% to $554 million, compared with 13% for the overall market. Streaming was the primary growth driver, up 32% and comprising 95% of total Latin music revenues. Paid subscriptions accounted for more than two thirds of the streaming revenue increase. Latin […]

Pandora creates standalone Apple Watch app

01/05/2020

UPDATE: 01/05/2020 – Latest version of the app has added new SIRI features. Siri on Apple Watch Ask Siri to play stations, songs, albums, and podcasts: “Hey Siri, play Thumbprint Radio on Pandora.” Tell Siri you like or dislike the current song: “Hey Siri, I like this song.” ∼ Pandora creates a standalone Apple Watch app which has no requirement to use an iPhone when you want to stream music and podcasts. Previously you could […]

Pandora redesigns its mobile app

30/04/2020

UPDATE: 30/04/2020 – Latest version of the iOS app has added new Shuffle and SIRI features. Edit Shuffle Stations feature Available for Premium listeners Select which stations you want to play on shuffle Siri on iOS Ask Siri to add music to your collection or for a specific playlist: “Hey Siri, add Hotel California to my collection on Pandora.” (Premium listeners only) Tell Siri you like or dislike the current song. Even more personalized discovery […]

SiriusXM Premier free offer extended to 31st May

SiriusXM Premier free till 31st May

30/04/2020

UPDATE: 30/04/2020 – SiriusXM Premier free offer originally planned to last till 15th May in the US and Canada has been extended to the 31st May to support the millions currently staying at home because of the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to a new #StayHome Radio channel featuring happy, feel-good music SiriusXM has 300+ channels of news and information, entertainment, escape, and companionship across ad-free music channels, plus channels of live news, faith-based content, comedy, […]

87.7 million US adults have a Smart Speaker

29/04/2020

87.7 million US adults have a Smart Speaker, up 32% on the previous year which represents 34.4% of the population according to a new consumer survey by Voicebot. The Smart Speaker Consumer Adoption Report 2020 shows that the Smart Speaker user base growth rate slowed in 2019 despite adding more than 20 million users. The installed base of US smart speaker users is up 32% over January 2019 and is 85% higher than January 2018. […]

8tracks comes back from the dead

25/04/2020

8tracks comes back from the dead after having closed its doors at the end of 2019. Launched on 8th August 2008 the streamer initially offered a globally available streaming service which in 2016 was restricted to the US and Canada due to licensing concerns. The streaming service has resumed in the US with a resumption of service in Canada within days. The 8tracks platform and brand are now owned and operated by BackBeat Inc., a […]