BDSradio subscribers were notified early this morning that the service will shut down on November 1 with all subscribers transferred to the iHeartMedia owned RCS’ Mediabase.
The MRC and Penske Media owned Luminate (formerly MRC Data and P-MRC), which has operated BDSradio since it acquired it Nielsen’s music data business in late 2019, states that “Effective November 1, 2022, Mediabase’s radio tracking data will fuel Luminate’s reporting on radio’s music activity in the U.S. and Canada and BDSradio will be retired.”
The note continues, “As a current BDSradio customer, your account will be moved to MediaBase. A MediaBase rep will be contacting you to give you access to the complete MediaBase Radio Play dataset via their platform for the remainder of your BDSradio contract. Additionally, you will also have access to Metro Streaming/Airplay in Luminate Music Connect where you can continue to compare airplay and streaming data side by side.”
The public FAQ sheet for the deal notes that it is not a merger of the two brands, but “a partnership to provide mutual clients with the best data and product offerings possible”. It does not provide information on whether stations which are monitored by BDSradio, but not Mediabase will be added noting that the stations should reach out to Mediabase for information.
Luminate states that it will continue to integrate radio airplay into its broader music consumption offerings with details on specific products and features in the near future. It also notes that the Billboard charts will continue to utilize different panels than Mediabase’s charts, however there may be an adjustment period within Billboard based on the stations that are currently monitored.
The full FAQ sheet can be read here.
Today, Luminate, the data and insights company powering the entertainment industry with the most essential, objective, and trustworthy information across music, film and television, announced its new partnership with airplay monitoring service Mediabase. Effective December 2022, Mediabase’s radio tracking data, known widely as the music industry standard across labels, publishers and management companies, will fuel Luminate’s reporting on radio’s music activity in the U.S. and Canada.
Along with today’s announcement, Luminate also officially revealed plans for a new, highly modernized client and user platform, which will house all of the company’s data offerings. Mediabase is the first of many new data partners that will contribute intelligence to the new Luminate platform, which is slated for launch in 2023; more details will be shared in the coming months.
The news follows Luminate’s rebrand out of SXSW this March, crafted to reflect the company’s forward-thinking approach to highlighting data’s place in today’s culture. At the festival, Luminate CEO Rob Jonas took the stage to present insights around the state of the entertainment industry, showcasing how the intelligence gathered across Luminate’s platforms – from music streaming numbers, to diversity and inclusion stats across film and TV – is the key to identifying trends that serve as both markers of where we are and where we are headed as content consumers.
Speaking on today’s update, Jonas said, “Mediabase has proven itself to be the most trusted and referenced radio data provider in today’s fast-moving, ever-changing music industry. At Luminate, we pride ourselves in being able to provide our clients – whether they be major record labels, tech companies, film studios, TV networks or indie music powerhouses – with the absolute best information they need to operate and grow their businesses. This new partnership allows us to do just that.”
Philippe Generali, President & CEO of Mediabase, added, “This new strategic partnership allows us the opportunity to be innovative in our approach to radio monitoring and to further ours and Luminate’s positions as undisputed experts in music data.”
Currently, Luminate, formerly known as P-MRC Data, and before that Nielsen Music, owns and operates the radio tracking service BDS, which is used to service its clients’ radio data needs, including powering Billboard’s iconic radio charts and other charts incorporating radio data, including the Billboard Hot 100. While never losing sight of the service’s legacy and impact on the music industry through the years, the company will be transitioning from BDS to Mediabase over the coming months in preparation for the new arrangement, which will take effect by year’s end. There will be no disruption in radio services provided by Luminate during the transition period. Luminate is also currently expanding operations in its New York, Los Angeles and Tampa offices and continues to add to its global team.
