Audio Ink

The streamer says more than half a billion listening hours had been generated on the platform during the month of December, closing out a record year for the company. It also saw a 31 percent year-over-year increase in overall listening hours.

The streaming app is getting ready to enable a block feature to mute artists listeners don’t want to listen to. According to The Verge, after rejecting the feature back in 2017, the company is now testing the “don’t play this artist” feature.

It's called 'Car View' and the goal of the new app is to make using Spotify easier while in the vehicle. When users connect to their car’s Bluetooth, the car view is enabled automatically as music or podcasts start playing.

R&R on Sports, a weekend, sports magazine show, is a new program feature on the SiriusXM network Saturday mornings on Channel 211.

Some Pandora listeners can now control the streaming app simply by using their voice. For Voice Mode, Pandora has partnered with SoundHound’s Houndify voice and conversational AI platform. Pandora started rolling out Voice Mode to select listeners on Tuesday.

The CW and iHeartMedia have signed a new multi-year agreement for The CW to remain the exclusive television broadcaster and video streaming partner for the two-day iHeartRadio Music Festival, the annual holiday iHeartRadio Jingle Ball event, and more.

iHeartMedia New York launches iHeartRadio Broadway, featuring Broadway music and content. The station will stream classic songs from original Broadway cast album soundtracks. iHeart secured Mercedes as a major sponsor for the new station.

LiveXLive Media Inc. has partnered with iHeartMedia to livestream iHeartRadio ALTer Ego '19 taking place at the historic “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles on January 19.  

iHeartRadio is teaming up with Words With Friends 2 on Words with Friends LIVE, a one-of-a-kind word-themed trivia game feature available to all Words With Friends 2 players.

SiriusXM entered into a new employment agreement with Scott Greenstein as President and Chief Content Officer through May 24, 2022. Greenstein will be paid $1.6 million per year.