 RAIN 8/13: Media, radio companies learning how to monetize their iPhone apps ·Aug 13, 11:15 AM MEDIA COMPANIES TAKE DIFFERENT ROUTES IN UNTESTED WATERS OF APP MONETIZATIONThe advent of Apple’s App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch devices has ushered in a new platform for media companies to connect with consumers. But, as The New York Times reports, the process of monetizing these apps is uncharted territory. The ad-supported model is popular and effective: AdMob, an ad-delivery company for many big-name media apps including CBS, said media companies they work with fill 30-50% of their ad inventory for banner advertising — though the advertising pool is still small. For radio broadcasters like iHeartRadio, the process could be as easy as extending their on-air ads to their mobile streams. Other media companies, like L.A.‘s KCRW, aren’t looking to gain extra revenue from their iPhone apps, merely increase exposure. All in all though, “There’s a very real business model for these companies on the iPhone,” said AdMob’s VP and managing director Jason Spero. To read The New York Times’ full article, head here.
LISTENING TO MUSIC ON MOBILE DEVICES, STREAMING IN GENERAL INCREASESListening to music on mobile devices is becoming more popular. A new study from Forrester Research found that 10% of mobile device owners use their phones to listen to music. That’s up from 5% last year and among 18 to 29 year olds the figure is even higher: 22%. Find more coverage on the Forrester study at Jennifer Lane’s Audio4Cast blog here. Not surprisingly then, the biggest drain on mobile broadband networks is streaming media, as Allot Communications discovered (here). It’s also the fastest growing use of mobile bandwidth, beating out P2P sharing.
BBC MOSTLY ABSENT ON IPHONE, REPORTEDLY DUE TO APPLE LIABILITY POLICYBBC Radio has been notably absent from Apple’s App Store because the corporation would be open to “unlimited liability,” as stated in Apple’s terms and conditions, according to paidContent. “The [BBC] is nervous that this would compel it to set aside a large amount of money in case of actions arising from this liability, according to a source – a difficult pill to swallow in these belt-tightening times,” Robert Andrews reports (here). Apple passes on any liability to an app’s developers. In the meantime, Andrews points out, unofficial apps repackaging BBC content have debuted. “We’re weighing up our options,” said a BBC spokesperson. “We can’t comment any further.”
NEW WEBCASTER ROYALTY DEALS PUBLISHED, DEADLINES SETThe new royalty deals announced last week with four webcaster groups have been published in the Federal Register, thereby setting deadlines for parties to elect to the agreements. As industry attorney David Oxenford (pictured left) notes, however, “the deals each have different opt in dates, so it does get confusing.” Webcasters wishing to join the Sirius XM royalty deal have 15 days to submit the necessary forms. Religious and noncommercial webcasters have until September 15 to elect to their agreement, while educational noncommercial webcasters do not have to submit forms until January. The agreement with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting does not apply until 2011, so no action is required now. For more on each of these deadlines, and links to the necessary forms, read Oxenford’s coverage at his Broadcast Law Blog here. Find more on the each of the royalty deals in RAIN here.
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CommentCommenting is closed for this article.  Other stories RAIN has upgraded (and moved)! RAIN 9/13: RAIN Summit Chicago takes place today! RAIN 9/12: First Summit in RAIN's hometown takes place tomorrow RAIN 9/9: Summer holidays, "doldrums" impact July Webcast Metrics, but audience up over last year RAIN 9/8: Clear Channel launches new customizable iHeartRadio beta; RAIN goes hands-on RAIN 9/7: Meet more speakers you'll hear at RAIN Summit Chicago in less than a week RAIN 9/6: Clear Channel taps The Echo Nest to take on Pandora RAIN 9/2: RAIN reviews Spotify's radio-like product Artist Radio RAIN 9/1: UK online radio aggregator Radioplayer campaigns b'dcasters to create "all radio" ratings RAIN 8/31: Execs from Merlin, Triton Digital, jacAPPS and more to appear at RAIN Summit Chicago |
