SiriusXM is launching a standalone podcast service called SiriusXM Podcasts+ available through Apple Podcasts. Beginning this month, the new ad-free service, described as a “premium listening experience for some of the biggest shows on the SiriusXM Podcast Network” will stream to more than 50 countries, including the U.S. and Canada with exclusive bonus content and early access to new episodes. Participating shows at launch include “SmartLess” and “Literally! with Rob Lowe,” as well as select programs from the Freakonomics Radio Network. SiriusXM Podcasts+ is priced at $5.99 per month or $44.99 annually, directly through Apple Podcasts. Continue reading SiriusXM Debuts Subscription Podcast Service Through Apple

SiriusXM will roll out a redesigned app and new logo to North America subscribers beginning on December 14, the company announced at its Next Generation event in New York City for industry and press. Along with the new look, the company will debut an updated pricing structure that includes a $9.99 per month Streaming All Access plan aimed at “a new generation of SiriusXM listeners,” the company explained. The new SiriusXM app will first be available in Apple’s App Store, Google Play, and on Amazon Fire devices, with additional platforms and features to come in early 2024. Continue reading SiriusXM Updates Streaming App, Introduces Budget Pricing

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) is working on new legislation to help musicians boost their share of the revenue pouring into streaming services, which currently sits at fractions of a cent per stream. Tlaib is working with the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) on a new royalty program that would increase the royalty rate per-stream model. Tlaib and her team are actively collaborating to draft the resolution. The Recording Industry Association of America says that streaming accounts for 83 percent of all recorded music income.  Continue reading House Rep Plans to Update Streaming Revenue for Musicians

The Walt Disney Company’s Marvel Entertainment inked a deal with SiriusXM to create exclusive podcasts for the latter’s satellite radio and streaming services, including Pandora. This is SiriusXM’s first major effort in podcasting and is also an attempt to attract more listeners. The deal comes at a time that many media companies are taking their first steps into podcasting. Disney has also focused on expanding Marvel out of big movie theaters and into broadcast television and its Disney+ streaming service. Continue reading Marvel to Create Exclusive Podcasts for SiriusXM, Pandora

Apple has hired popular BBC Radio 1 host Zane Lowe to give its streaming service Beats Music a new personality. From the beginning, Beats Music was different from other music streaming services because it featured real humans with knowledge of specific genres to curate the playlists, rather than relying upon an algorithm or its other employees. However, Lowe with his name recognition and experience as a radio host may finally give Beats the star power it needs to appeal to the mainstream. Continue reading Beats Music Gets Star Power with Newly Hired Host Zane Lowe