Omnifone placed into administration
Omnifone announced that it has been placed into administration. Sources told Music Week that the B2B digital music platform is also facing layoffs for up to three-quarters of its staff. Continue Reading
Month: May 2016
Spotify-owned B2B streaming company makes big splash entering U.S. market
Today marks a big development in the B2B music space, as Soundtrack Your Brand arrives in the U.S. through a deal with McDonald’s. Soundtrack also announced that it has received a total of $20 million in funding to date. It is backed by Spotify, which also owns a third of the company, and works with businesses to set the music they want played at their stores. Continue Reading
U.S. Hispanic listeners love online radio — new research
Audio.ad, an advertising company for Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets, released a survey about the state of digital audio consumption for the U.S. Hispanic market. The survey included 1,000 Spanish-speaking U.S. participants, and the results show a strong bond with streaming audio. Continue Reading
Russian social network launches streaming app
Russian social network VKontakte has unveiled a streaming music app. The platform will allow a free trial of 90 days before charging a monthly fee, although the rates have not been disclosed yet. Sony and Warner have both signed licensing agreements with VKontakte, but Universal has not. Continue Reading
Spotify expands its global ad business team
Spotify has been doubling down on its advertising business, which supports the Spotify Free consumer experience, for over a year. Today brings more emphasis on the advertising business. Spotify has announced new hires and promotions within its global ad team. Continue Reading
The Download on Podcasts: Pioneers of podcast streaming are gaining traction
sponsored by PodcastOne
The news that Pandora acquired its second streaming podcast deal underscores the sometimes uncomfortable division in how podcasts are consumed — download or stream? Technically, the difference is artificial. But it becomes more important as a usability issue, and in audience measurement. Several mostly-music services are prioritizing podcast streaming, and stretching the definition of podcast consumption. Continue Reading
CÜR Media announces former Universal exec as interim president/CEO
CÜR Media has appointed Jim Urie as its new top leader. Urie assumes the role of interim president and CEO in addition to the post of executive chairman for the board of directors. His resume includes 15 years as president of Universal Music Group Distribution, and 12 of those as CEO. Continue Reading
Apple Music expected to get a redesign
Apple Music is coming up on its first birthday and some big changes could be underway for the new streaming service on the block. Sources have told Bloomberg that the music platform will be receiving a redesigned user interface. The move to make the program more intuitive is expected to be announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Continue Reading
CRB ruling goes to Federal Register; appeal window opens for disputing webcast rates
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) ruling of new webcast royalty rates to labels was published in the Federal Register yesterday, per process schedule. Now begins a one-month appeal window, during which participants may file litigation which contests the ruling. Who is permitted to appeal, and who is not? Click for details. Continue Reading
Updates on this month’s windowed exclusives from Drake, Beyoncé
We’re keeping close tabs on the current wave of big album releases that are windowing their distribution. Here’s the latest data from the two top performers: Lemonade by Beyoncé and Views by Drake. Continue Reading
Global weekly reach for BBC’s international news services up 13%
The BBC Global Audience Measure released its latest figures about the broadcaster’s global reach for the 2015/2016 year. Weekly worldwide audience for the BBC hit a record high of 348 million people, up 13% from the previous year. Continue Reading
SoundCloud expands ads and subscriptions to UK and Ireland; partners with DAX
Berlin-based SoundCloud has launched two initiatives in U.K. and Ireland which bring those markets up to speed with the SoundCloud experience in the U.S. First, the SoundCloud Go subscription plan is now available to those audiences. Second, the free-listening service is now supported with advertising, some of which will be supplied by the Global-owned DAX automated platform. Continue Reading