Audio Ink

Bridge Ratings has just completed an update to its annual “State of Podcasting” study originally conducted during November 2015 and January 2016. CEO Dave Van Dyke says for most Americans who care enough about podcasts...it's too cumbersome of a process.

NPR One allows users to curate its own public radio news, stories, and podcasts. It is now incorporated into Apple's CarPlay.

The news was sent out to over 5,000 customers using the service, announcing the shutdown would be January 31. Live 365 had hinted earlier this year that the new royalty rates were the reason it might shut down. Here's the message customers received this week.

iHeartMedia announced on Thursday that the 5-year-old iHeartRadio app now has more than 80 million registered users. iHeartRadio President Darren Davis said, "In just five years, we've seen continued powerful growth in our registered user base -- a testament to the power of radio and listening."

Streaming service Deezer has secured $109 million in funding. The financing will be used to increase customer acquisition efforts around the world, accelerate the introduction of new products, features, and growth initiatives to serve the company’s mission to create a more valuable product offering and build more programmed experiences for music fans. Deezer says it has also expanded its catalogue to over 40 million songs.

Averaging more than 2 million downloads per week, The Dave Ramsey Show has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the Top 10 Podcasts on iTunes.

The app allows radio and TV station sales executives to receive next-business-day service on unlimited customized sales research presented via Futuri’s new TopLine mobile app and desktop tool.

The trials of Steven Avery, as told by the Netflix documentary Making a Murderer, have become a national phenomenon. iHeartRadio has launched a 10-part podcast series with non-practicing lawyer and journalist Dan O'Donnell, who covered Avery from 2003 through 2007.

iHeartMedia has announced that the 2016 Daytime Village during the iHeartRadio Music Festival will feature live performances by Sam Hunt and Alessia Cara, with more artists to be announced. The Daytime Village will also feature fan zones and interactive experiences by iHeartRadio's brand partners. The Daytime Village will be held across from the Luxor Hotel and Casino on Saturday, September 24.

As of January 29, iTunes Radio will no longer be free. The service which was launched back in 2013 will cost $10.00 per month. Beats 1 will be the only music service available for free from Apple. Apple notified customers last week by e-mail. Here's what an Apple spokesperson told Buzzfeed about the change...