Industry Trends: Radio Down, iTunes Up

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mojo-photo-itunesradio.jpgI know: Pope Catholic, sky blue. But it’s the numbers that are pretty surprising. Radio & Records Magazine reports that radio revenue fell even more than everybody expected in May, and the normally staid publication called the numbers “a horror show.” Local revenue was down 9% (aaaagh!), national revenue off 13% (eeeek!), people listening down a zillion % (noooo!) . Okay, I can’t prove that last one, but I wouldn’t bet against it.

On the other side of the industry, iTunes, in contrast, can’t be stopped: the online music retailer just sold its five billionth song, also announcing that they’re renting and selling over 50,000 movies a day, making iTunes the world’s biggest online movie store too. Crimeny, if they start selling groceries I’ll never have to leave the house.

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“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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