Author: John McDermott @mcdradio

This Band Just Finished A 28 Day Tour And Made How Much?! – Digital Music NewsDigital Music News.

Good read.

If 90 percent of new releases from established artists were only available at launch on paid services — whether by purchase, or as part of premium subscription services, or through some new model — then consumers would quickly come to understand that premium services are the way to get access to the latest music. The result would be a win-win: More artists would be paid reasonable rates for their music, aggregate industry revenue would rise, and consumers would get excellent, virus-free experiences and know what they were paying for.

via Essay: Why Streaming (Done Right) Will Save the Music Business | Billboard.

To call something the most popular podcast might seem a little like identifying the tallest leprechaun, but the numbers are impressive for any media platform. “Serial” has been downloaded or streamed on iTunes more than five million times — at a cost of nothing — and averages over 1.5 million listeners an episode. That is as many people as watch an episode of “Louie,” the buzzed-about comedy on FX. Ira Glass, the host of “This American Life,” told me his show took four years to reach one million listeners. “Serial” raced past that in a month.

via ‘Serial,’ Podcasting’s First Breakout Hit, Sets Stage for More – NYTimes.com.

I’m surprised we don’t see more of this sort of thing in the digital space.  Since I haven’t heard it, I shall not judge.  But hey, I do love wings and I do need a job…can I interest you in some comedy programming….

B-Dubs Radio will feature contemporary music blended with exclusive sports content, such as weekly commentary from sportscaster and radio personality Dan Patrick. The station will also feature ads for Buffalo Wild Wings and the casual-dining chain’s latest news and offers, such as a recent Korean BBQ sauce limited-time offer.

via Minneapolis-based casual-dining chain operator, Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. launches branded radio station | Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar content from Nations Restaurant News.

The magnitude of the task is daunting. Getting the attention of those who have already moved away from broadcast is especially scary: broadcast isn’t reaching those listeners, and theirs aren’t necessarily trusted brands. With everything broadcasters have to do to run their own stations day-to-day, it would be easy for them not to grapple with creating the other radio at all, and many do not. Yet, finding the irresistible package of hits and just enough variety is key to being able to service both moods for listeners going forward.

via MusicMaster Scheduling – Music Scheduling Software for Windows.

Here’s an interesting wrinkle in the Streaming Wars.  What happens when the most popular artists start pulling their music?

Taylor Swift is basically the biggest musician in the world this week, and that means shes in the rare position of being able to do whatever she wants. Part of that, it appears, is pulling all of her music off of Spotify, likely in an attempt to drive sales of her new album, 1989, as well as her earlier albums.

via Taylor Swift has removed all of her albums from Spotify | The Verge.

And another good link from The Daily Beast

And where are they turning? To iTunes or to Beats, both soon to be the same apparatus, one that has never had to rely on profits from music sales thanks to the cushion provided by the tech giant. This allows for artist compensation based on revenue rather than royalty, as Spotify does. It’s a safe bet for Swift, one with a soft landing and almost no risk. And one that gives her the moral high ground.

Good article that gets into not just the economics of podcasting, but the change in consumer behavior and that pesky connected car.  A metal tower in a swamp and 22 minutes of commercials isn’t going to cut it.  You need to stream and figure out a better listener experience than sitting through those endless spot-blocks.   For example, podcasting…

There are a few possible reasons for the resurgence. The first is that today’s podcasts are simply better. Most podcasts used to be pretty amateurish — two people talking about sports for an hour, say, or a businessman ad libbing MBA lessons. And some still are. But today’s top podcasts — and I’ll refer you to The Atlantic’s list of some of the best — are full-scale productions with real staff, budget, and industry expertise behind them.

Another reason that podcasts may be growing is that the economics are compelling.

via What’s Behind the Great Podcast Renaissance? — NYMag.

I played around with Mad Genius Radio briefly this morning.  Seems like a cool idea in that you can mix genres and even throw in some requests….

There is a clever on-demand aspect to Mad Genius Radio as well — it’s a Request feature. The platform can offer dozens of hit tracks called Guilty Pleasures that the user requests, and those songs will get programmed into the mix. Unlike a truly interactive service, you cannot play them on instant demand or save them.

via Try Mad Genius Radio, more interactive lean-back listening – RAIN News.

I struggled a little bit with the main page interface, but not enough to share me away, and all of a sudden I figured it out.  I found the songs to be “what I wanted.”  The overall experience so far has been good enough that I haven’t closed it out.

I’m using it on the Macbook right now but there is an App which will be making it to my phone as soon as I get out of this comfy chair.

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While I have everyone’s attention – I still need a hockey show, a soccer show and a basketball show for Alt Sports Talk. If you know someone please put them on my radar. Thanks!