Quick Hits: Global digital music outlook; Spotify gets tactile on iOS
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Billboard on global digital music projections; Spotify adds touch and swipe controls on mobile. Continue Reading
Month: January 2015
Dave Van Dyke: Radio complements streaming in new study
Bridge Ratings posted a new study which questioned listeners about the overlap of music they stream, and music they hear on the radio. The results portray the two mediums to be complementary in interesting ways. We spoke to Bridge Ratings President Dave Van Dyke. Continue Reading
Tidal announces new European expansion
Tidal has rolled out in five new European markets. The hi-fi streaming service is now available in Ireland, Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The service promises a library of more than 25 million tracks at lossless, CD quality. Listeners in the new markets will pay the same subscription price of $19.99 per month for access. Continue Reading
Saavn has 11 million monthly active users
Indian streaming service Saavn released audience data, revealing that it has 11 million monthly active users. According to CEO and co-founder Rishi Malhotra, Saavn had 30 million people use the service in 2014. Continue Reading
Rdio announces major expansion and mobile deal
Following its big launch in India, Rdio announced a push into 24 new countries in the Caribbean, Central American, and Asia Pacific region. The new markets bring the total number of countries with Rdio availability to 85. Continue Reading
SoundExchange to audit Live365, iHeartMedia, CBS Radio in standard compliance sweep
When a reader and pureplay station operator sent us a government notice of SoundExchange’s intent to audit the streaming royalty payments made by Live365, iHeartMedia, and CBS Radio for 2011, 2012, and 2013, we turned to broadcast law attorney David Oxenford (author of the deeply informative Broadcast Law Blog) to find out how significant the action is. Continue Reading
Streamus: A Google Chrome extension that undermines Google’s streaming business
A Google Chrome browser extension called Streamus is lit up with buzz after the developer posted a promotional status report on Reddit. Streamuis makes YouTube music navigation easier and more lightweight. At the same time, the extension separates the user from YouTube, and provides some of the value that YouTube’s new Music Key subscription service promotes. Continue Reading
Warner exec joins PopShack, a YouTube artist development label
As YouTube has risen to prominence as a music discovery tool, more businesses are looking to get involved with finding and developing its vast talent pool. One of those businesses is PopShack, a multi-channel network that aims to support the best up-and-coming pop performers. PopShack continues to grow with the addition of former Warner Music exec Conrad Withey as its CEO. Continue Reading
Apple reportedly snaps up music analytics company
Apple seems to have made another musical purchase, this one with a focus on data. According to MusicAlly, UK media data startup Semetric changed its registered address to the same one as Apple Europe. The company also appears to have appointed Apple’s vice president of corporate law as a director in October. Financial details have not been formally disclosed, but the deal has been pegged at about $50 million. Continue Reading
Shazam valued above $1 billion with latest investment
Shazam is now valued at more than $1 billion, thanks to a recent $30 million investment in the audio-identification app. The new funding will go toward increased service capabilities and new market sectors for the service, which has more than 100 million monthly active mobile users. Shazam has received more than $100 million in venture capital funding since 2009. Continue Reading
CRN study illuminates both broadcast and streaming audio ad effectiveness
A CRN International study of radio advertising effectiveness in the Millennial demographic (18-34) shines light on aspects of audio advertising on both sides of the broadcast/streaming fence. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: Marriott tests in-room Pandora; why big brands use indie music
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Marriott trials in-room streaming entertainment; why big brands go indie for ad music. Continue Reading