Spotify is losing another high-level leader, the latest in a continuing exodus from top positions within the streaming service. Seth Farbman is departing his role as chief marketing officer, which he has held for three and a half years. Continue Reading
Music Biz and AudienceNet have released their Audio Monitor report on U.S. music consumption habits. The survey examined trends for on-demand streaming, which are being heavily driven by the youngest listeners, as well as AM/FM radio and smart speakers. Continue Reading
This American Life has been dethroned as the top podcast in Podtrac’s monthly show ranking. After several months atop the chart, the popular program dropped to second place behind The New York Times’ The Daily. Continue Reading
The Music Modernization Act, a sweeping overhaul of mechanical copyright laws, could face its final hurdle in the Senate today. Billboard has cited sources who claim the legislation could be hotlined for the Senate this afternoon. Hotlining is a process for proposed laws that are expected to be passed unanimously by a verbal vote. Continue Reading
Pandora’s latest personalized playlist is a curated selection of new music releases just for its Premium listeners. The Drop is a customized collection based on machine learning models. The programming includes new music from artists each listener already favors alongside recommended performers. Continue Reading
Spotify’s next global move appears to be focused on the Middle East and North Africa. An email leaked from an advertising agency based in Dubai revealed that the streaming service is seeking brands to advertise at a November launch in the region. Continue Reading
MIDiA Research has released its data on the global market shares held by streaming services at the midway point of 2018. Overall, music subscribers totaled 229.5 million in H1 2018, an increase of 16% from the end of 2017 and up 38% over the year-ago period. Revenue generated by those subscribers in the first half of 2018 reached $3.498 billion. Continue Reading
Apple introduced new products for its iPhone and Apple Watch yesterday, and while those devices took center stage, there was a small hint of things to come for the HomePod smart speaker. CEO Tim Cook mentioned a few upcoming software updates coming to the HomePod on September 17 to improve functionality. Continue Reading
Performing rights organization BMI has reported record-breaking revenue, securing $1.199 billion during the fiscal year ending June 30. The group administered $1.118 billion in royalties to its songwriters, composers and publishers, another record high and a 9% increase from the prior year’s total. Continue Reading
ARIA, a music industry body for labels in Australia, reported that total music sales in the country rose 6% to A$195.6 million ($140 million) in the first half of 2018. Digital platforms contributed positive growth, with a 14.2% spike to A$162.5 million ($116 million) during the period. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia announced plans to acquire Stuff Media, the publisher behind HowStuffWorks and other premium podcast content. As a result of the deal, iHeart will be able to leverage Stuff Media’s original content, programming, and podcast management team to continue growing the joint operations. Continue Reading
Monthly streaming music subscribers in the United States now number 51 million, according to a new report from MusicWatch. The report, provided exclusively to Billboard, found that the subscriber base has nearly doubled from the end of 2016. However, MusicWatch did provide a few caveats for the growth. Continue Reading