Few critics of streaming music have been as vehement as Neil Young. The rock legend has levied many (often outrageous) critiques at streaming services over the years, going so far as to remove his entire catalog from Spotify and Apple Music in July 2015. But now he’s back, and things aren’t looking too hot over at Pono Music right now. Continue Reading
Spotify has relaunched its website for performers. Spotify Artists first debuted three years ago, and although it’s still a hub for sharing resources about the streaming music business model, it has undergone some changes from the original. Continue Reading
Spotify has entered a partnership with Headspace for its first joint subscription. People can now subscribe to both Spotify and Headspace’s meditation and mindfulness service for $14.99 a month. Continue Reading
YouTube Red reportedly has 1.5 million subscribers as of late summer. That’s the figure shared by The Verge, citing multiple sources familiar with the video platform’s all-in-one subscription program. According to the sources, another 1 million people are signed up for free trials, but are not paying. Continue Reading
The Open Music Initiative announced the addition of 80 new members. OMI is the project of Berklee College of Music’s Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship. It aims to create an open protocol for industry-wide creative rights management and royalty distribution. Continue Reading
Radiotopia has selected Ear Hustle as the winner of its Podquest competition. The show shares stories from life in prison. It is the work of San Quentin State Prison inmates Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams and artist/professor Nigel Poor. Continue Reading
Napster announced multiple partnerships today across several industries. It now has deals with a mobile company, a headphone manufacturer, and an airline. Continue Reading
Podcast network Gimlet Media announced its new show lineup, and it’s a reflection of the current zeitgeist in this form of audio content. The new programs are Undone, Homecoming, and Crimetown. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has signed a licensing deal with pan-European rights hub ICE (the International Copyright Enterprise). This multi-territory arrangement will allow rightsholders across the continent to receive royalties from the audio company’s services, including the SoundCloud Go subscription tier. Continue Reading
Edison Research has presented the latest installment of its Share of Ear series. The new report is titled Share of Music and it focuses on American adults’ music listening habits. This analysis reveals ongoing changes to where and when AM/FM radio still holds the largest share, as well as who is most frequently tuning in. Continue Reading
Spotify has acquired Preact for an unspecified price. Preact is a cloud-based company that helps subscription-driven businesses acquire new subscribers and retain existing ones. Continue Reading
Many reports and statistics over the past year have pointed to a demonstrable shift in music consumption toward access via streaming and away from ownership, either in physical or digital formats. The latest data point in this ongoing trend comes from Billboard’s charts. Continue Reading