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Archive for July, 2008

New YouTube Audio Compression Stymies Uploaders

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

Some YouTube users are mounting a growing revolt against the site’s new audio scheme, which has degraded the sound quality of clips on the site by running them through an audio processor that wreaks havoc with songs’ dynamic range, diminishing their sound quality. [MORE]

Source: Wired

CBS Radio to sell 50 stations

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

CEO Les Moonves says the decision to divest 50 mid-sized markets comes as the company adjusts its portfolio. He says “By selling these slower-growth stations, we can focus on the larger markets that are showing real growth.” Moonves says big market stations did “very well” in the second quarter. Overall, CBS Radio same-station revenues dropped 9% in second quarter to $416 million.

Source: Inside Radio

Device uses car stereo satellite radio hookup for iPod

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Rather than connecting wirelessly using an available FM signal, which can be prone to low-quality audio and interference the device uses a wiring harness to connect directly into into the automobile’s head unit. [MORE]

Source: Macworld

Borrell: Say goodbye to the yellow pages

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Borrell Research predicts 39% of yellow page revenues will vanish as local advertisers shift spending to the internet. But that doesn’t mean radio has one less competitor. Borrell says directory publishers have “unleashed a newly-trained army of local sales people to hunt down this migrating money.” The firm says yellow page sales reps have been cross-trained and are now doing battle with radio and other local media to win online dollars.

Source: Inside Radio

Royalty advocates see web radio wedge

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

As internet radio stations fight to get a reduction in Copyright Royalty Board-levied royalties, there’s a move to tie it to the effort to win a performance royalty from over-the-air radio. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) says “I don’t know how we ever get to a system of rate parity by leaving the 800-pound gorilla out of the room.” So far NAB lobbying has secured the pledge of 222 House members and 14 Senators to oppose what the NAB says amounts to a tax.

Source: Inside Radio

Radio unknowingly airs 90,156 free commercials

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Wrigley Gum will disclose today that it paid Chris Brown to include a subtle reference to its gum in the song “Forever”. Mediabase has recorded 628 million audience impressions of the song, which includes “Double your pleasure, Double your fun” in its chorus. Brown was commissioned to write and sing the song as well as update the classic Doublemint jingle, which will be used in radio and TV commercials.

Source: Inside Radio

Mid Year Music Biz Report Card: CDs Down, Digital Sales Up, Tours Steady

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Though Lil Wayne and Coldplay have both done blockbuster numbers, the first half of 2008 saw the further stagnation of CD sales. [MORE]

Source: Rolling Stone

FCC delays decision on mandatory HD Radio.

Monday, July 28th, 2008

As part of its approval of the merger, the FCC has said ‘no’ to requiring XM-Sirius to include HD Radio receivers in all new satellite radios. But the approval did include some requirements.

Source: Inside Radio

Five ways to make digital music sing

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Neil Young told a bunch of tech luminaries gathered for an industry conference as much on Wednesday: “People’s understanding has been skewed by MP3s and convenience. It’s important to get music out there…but not at the expense of quality.” [MORE]

Souce: CNET

Big Media Gets Serious About LiveStreaming

Monday, July 28th, 2008

LiveStreaming video service Mogulus will announce a new round of financing later today. The size of the investment won’t be disclosed, although we’ve heard from a source that it is in the $10 million range. [MORE]

Source: TechCrunch