Billboard announced an expansion to its chart offerings. The company is launching new charts for Top Songwriters and for Top Producers. These rankings will be based on weekly activity from several of Billboard’s “hot” charts, with placements based on points accumulated for each attributed song appearing on those other charts. Continue Reading
Apple has already announced that it will launch a new podcasts app for Mac users, but it has more changes underway. The tech company sent an email to podcasters outlining plans to revamp its categories for podcasts. All told, the category nomenclature is receiving more than 100 changes. Continue Reading
Spotify has been working to build its roster of exclusive podcasts, and now the streaming service has secured a presidential deal. The company has entered an agreement with Higher Ground, the production firm formed by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Justice has officially opened a new review of the consent decrees governing ASCAP and BMI. Both performance rights organizations have operated their copyright management systems under these rules for more than 75 years. The review will examine whether the decrees should continue in their current state, receive modifications, or be ended entirely. Continue Reading
Goldman Sachs has released a new report that offers an increasingly rosy outlook for the streaming economy. The analysis offers the latest outlook for the music sector through 2030, following on 2017 research that estimated that of global total music revenue of $41 million, $34 billion would come from streaming. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: How podcasts and other online discourse impact the Supreme Court. Primephonic CEO on saving classical music. What will shape the music of the future? Continue Reading
Sonos and Ikea have expanded their smart speaker collaboration. After introducing two products this spring, Ikea has unveiled a dedicated wireless controller for its pair of upcoming Sonos-compatible speakers called the Symfonisk Sound Remote. Continue Reading
Audioburst announced the launch of a new service that for integrating short-form into websites and apps. The tool, called Audioburst Studio, is a simple way to create an embeddable audio player. Continue Reading
Latin America is making waves in the music world, both in creating and consuming music. IFPI Director of Insight and Analysis David Price presented recent findings from a report on Latin American music consumers at the Midem conference that capture that impact. Continue Reading
SoundCloud announced that Gilles BianRosa will serve as its new chief product officer. In this role, BioRosa will set the product vision and strategy behind SoundCloud’s platform as well as leading the teams for product management and design. Continue Reading
Samsung is delaying its first entry into the smart speaker market yet again. Despite an unveiling back in August 2018, the release date for the Samsung Galaxy Home has been postponed a few times. The delays could be due to the scope of Samsung’s smart home and Internet of Things strategy. Continue Reading
Spotify has launched a new standalone app in the United States. Stations is a lean-back listening experience with minimal user inputs. It made its first appearance on Android mobile devices in Australia in January 2018. Continue Reading