Sony Music Entertainment’s latest quarterly results show the continued importance of streaming in the company’s financial health. Quarterly streaming revenue from audio and video sources increased 39% from the year-ago period to 30.67 billion yen ($300 million). Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves are both high-level personnel changes in Sony businesses. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: A Discover Weekly data dive; Rdio accuses Sony of antitrust activity; UK report finds piracy on continued decline. Continue Reading
Sony Music Entertainment posted 57% growth in streaming revenue in the past 12 months. That increase more than offset the company’s declining download revenue, but was not quite enough for it to break the $1 billion mark. Continue Reading
Sony has taken steps to assume sole ownership of the Sony/ATV publishing branch, buying out the stake owned by Michael Jackson’s estate. However, the move has raised some concerns among the other labels. Warner Music Group and a collection of independent labels have brought their concerns over the buyout before the European Commission. Continue Reading
Sony’s PlayStation consoles rolled out a new music feature, powered by Spotify, last March. The partnership kicked off strong, with an impressive 785 million tracks streamed on the PlayStation 4, the company’s latest gaming hardware, in less than three months. Continue Reading
Sony Music is suing the former leaders of Rdio, claiming that the now-defunct streaming service cut it out of millions in its handling of bankruptcy and its sale negotiations with Pandora. Rdio’s former CEO Anthony Bay, General Counsel Elliott Peters, and Senior Vice President of Content Licensing Jim Rondinelli were named as defendants in the claims of misrepresentation and fraudulent behavior. Continue Reading
Sony announced a title shuffle among its top leadership, including some updates for its music division. Four of the company’s top executives have been promoted to corporate executive officers, with executive vice president titles added to their existing roles. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Sony’s future sans sales; another metadata service joining the mix. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has rounded out the trifecta. The online audio platform signed a licensing deal with Sony Music Entertainment, bringing the third and final of the major labels on board with its service, according to Music Business Worldwide. Continue Reading
Sony is moving to assume sole ownership of its Sony/ATV publishing arm. It is buying the 50% stake in Sony/ATV from Michael Jackson’s estate for $750 million. The parties are slated to have a definitive agreement by March 31, and the deal will be subject to regulatory approvals before closing. Continue Reading
The big brands are getting into the act with futuristic headphones. At SXSW, Sony’s new Future Lab division unveiled a prototype of directional headphones, a new approach to personal listening that eliminates over-ear and in-ear sound. Continue Reading