The New York Post has reported new numbers about sign-ups at Apple Music. Considering how much hype centered around the new entry into the streaming market, it’s somewhat to be expected, but the degree to which rumors and speculation have swirled around Apple Music is impressive. Continue Reading
Streaming had a strong performance in the first half of 2015, according to the latest RIAA report. Overall wholesale revenue rose 0.8% to $2.3 billion compared with the year-ago period, and overall retail value inched down 0.5% to $3.2 billion. While those percentage changes are small, they do still mark a contrast from the group’s 2014 mid-year report, where the market’s wholesale revenue dropped 2.5% as streaming growth wasn’t enough to balance the losses in other sectors. Continue Reading
Mobile listening is more than a trend, and more than the future. Mobile is reality, now. At RAIN Summit Atlanta, five experts will participate in a discussion moderated by James Cridland, UK-based radio futurologist. Continue Reading
Deezer announced that it plans to hold an IPO later this year. The streaming service is currently projected to obtain a market valuation of about 1 billion euros ($1 billion). Going public could help the French platform to compete with other rival services in the increasingly crowded streaming space. Continue Reading
The U.S. Copyright Registrar issued a decision to the Copyright Royalty Board, ruling that Pandora’s use of its licensing deal with indie group Merlin was admissable evidence. It’s important because the Merlin deal is a lynchpin in Pandora’s argument for lower royalty rates starting in 2016. Continue Reading
SFX appeared to be pulling itself out of a financial hole last week with the announcement of $90 million in new funding. But the hits are still coming for the company. Its investors have reportedly hired a Los Angeles law firm to investigate SFX after allegations of fraud. Continue Reading
BMI announced that it will pay bonuses to the top songs on select streaming platforms. The performing rights organization’s new payment system complements the existing structures for premiums distributed to the top songs on radio and television channels. Continue Reading
James Cridland Weekly Links is a column by the U.K.’s radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Radio X launch; conference conflict; Microsoft re-enters the digital dashboard; radio innovation in Australia; and much more. Continue Reading
This week we are revealing finalists in the Sixth Annual RAIN Internet Radio Awards. Today we are pleased to announce the advancing finalists in the “Best Overall Digital Strategy” category. Continue Reading
One of Tidal’s artist-owners has confessed that the launch of the boutique streaming service was a bit disastrous. Win Butler, frontman of The Arcade Fire, also pointed to the major label demands as a factor in Tidal’s pricing at $20. Continue Reading
Apple Music had two big business developments break yesterday. First, the streaming service debuted a surprise mixtape by hip-hop superstars Drake and Future. Then a new commercial marked a shift in rhetoric for the streaming platform. Continue Reading
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Two new and unusual stations; Nielsen report on streaming and music; podcast research; more. Continue Reading