Recent Posts
News•Feb 27, 2026
Music Streamer Quboz Implements AI Detection
French streaming service Qobuz has rolled out a proprietary AI detection system that scans both its existing catalog and new uploads. Tracks identified as 100 % AI‑generated are flagged with visible labels across all Qobuz applications. The move targets the rapid “hyperinflation” of AI‑produced music and aims to preserve authenticity. Qobuz says the initiative protects artist royalties and prevents fraudulent impersonation of musicians.
By RAIN News
News•Feb 26, 2026
IHeartMedia Partners with Middle East State of Qatar for New Podcast Effort
iHeartMedia has signed a multi‑year partnership with Qatar’s Government Communications Office to build a state‑of‑the‑art podcast studio and launch original Arabic shows. The deal will also bring popular global podcasts to Arabic‑speaking audiences and deliver masterclasses for local talent. iHeart...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 26, 2026
Podcast Advertising Projected to $1B/Year by 2029 (EMARKETER)
A new eMarketer survey of 100 U.S. marketers shows digital audio advertising is gaining traction, with 67% of respondents already allocating budget to the channel. While only 25% plan to increase spend within the next year, 83% view incremental reach...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 25, 2026
RAIN Notes: February 25
Google announced the acquisition of ProducerAI, the former Riffusion, to boost its AI‑driven music generation suite. The platform, already integrated with Google’s Lyria 3 model and Gemini AI, will let Google Labs users create full songs and lyrics from text prompts...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 24, 2026
Podcasts Overtake Spoken-Word Radio in Key Metric (Edison Research)
Edison Research’s Share of Ear study shows podcasts have finally overtaken spoken‑word AM/FM radio in daily listening time, a shift that began in 2015 when radio commanded 75% of the audience and podcasts held just 10%. Over the past decade,...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 24, 2026
RAIN Notes: February 24
The 2026 Ambies awards, delayed by weather, will stream live tonight from Brooklyn’s On Air Fest, directly competing for viewers with the 9 p.m. State of the Union address. Simultaneously, veteran podcast executive N’Jeri Eaton announced the launch of Type C Studios, a...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 23, 2026
RAIN Notes: February 23
HeartMedia’s new study defines a growing audience – bicultural Latinos who identify equally as American and Hispanic – and highlights their media habits. Radio remains dominant, reaching nine‑in‑ten of this group each month, while 90% regularly consume English‑language content and...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 23, 2026
Steve Goldstein: Apple Just Moved the Center of Gravity in Podcasting
Apple’s recent rollout of native video in Apple Podcasts marks a pivotal shift, turning video into a core podcast format and introducing Apple’s first large‑scale video ad revenue share. This move accelerates the “liquid content era,” where shows fluidly switch...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 20, 2026
Downtown Music Completes Merger with Virgin Music
The episode announces that Downtown Music Holdings has finalized its $775 million acquisition and merger with Virgin Music Group, a deal first revealed in December. Founder Justin Kalifowitz is exiting Downtown, marking a leadership transition as the combined entity positions itself...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 19, 2026
RAIN Notes: February 19
The episode covers three main topics: Audible’s new sync feature that highlights ebook text in real time with audiobook narration, insights from audio‑industry executives on how advertisers can leverage the evolving AI‑driven audio advertising ecosystem, and the International Federation of...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 13, 2026
Spotify Q4 Report Exceeds Expectations; Stock Bounces
Spotify's Q4 2025 earnings beat expectations, driving a sharp rebound in its stock price. Revenue grew 13% YoY to €? and gross margin hit 33.1%, delivering €1.17 billion in net income and EPS of €4.43, well above forecasts. Monthly active users rose...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 12, 2026
A Tale of Two Lists: Top New and Existing Podcasts of Q4
The episode examines Edison Research’s latest podcast metrics, contrasting the Top Ten New Podcasts of 2025 with the broader Top 50 Podcasts of Q4, which includes stalwarts like The Joe Rogan Experience and Crime Junkie. The hosts highlight that none of...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 11, 2026
Britney Spears Sells Catalog
The episode discusses Britney Spears' reported sale of her music catalog to independent publisher Primary Wave, noting the lack of confirmed details and price. It places this deal in the context of recent high‑profile catalog sales by artists like Queen,...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 10, 2026
SiriusXM Rebounds in Q4 Subscribers
SiriusXM’s Q4 earnings showed flat revenue year‑over‑year but a notable subscriber rebound, with 110,000 new self‑pay users offsetting a full‑year loss of 301,000. Monthly churn among self‑pay customers improved, falling to 15% from 16% YoY, leaving the company with a...
By RAIN News
News•Feb 10, 2026
Supercast Acquired; Joins Red Seat / Tubi
Red Seat Ventures, a Fox Corporation unit, has acquired Supercast, the subscription platform used by top podcasts like Huberman Lab, This American Life, and Pod Save America. The deal, undisclosed in financial terms, places Supercast under Tubi Media Group, consolidating...
By RAIN News
Deals•Feb 10, 2026
Red Seat Ventures Acquires Supercast, Expanding Fox's Podcast Monetization Portfolio
Red Seat Ventures, a unit of Fox Corporation, announced the acquisition of Supercast, a podcast creator subscription platform. The terms were not disclosed, and Supercast will operate within Fox's Tubi Media Group, enhancing the company's creator‑focused digital services. The deal...
RAIN News