Spotify raids BBC for UK content programming hire
Spotify has hired a music executive away from BBC. George Ergatoudis is joining the streaming company as its new head of content programming for the UK. Continue Reading
Author: Anna Washenko
Rdio, Spotify release their own importer tools for displaced Rdio customers
With the closure of Rdio, it makes sense that the streaming platform’s customers would want to find ways to retain their carefully curated profiles and playlists. Both Rdio and Spotify have released tools to do just that. Continue Reading
On the Move: Two C-suite hires and two new VPs
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include new C-suite roles for Shazam and Marketron. Also Univision and TuneCore each made hires at the VP level. Continue Reading
Another direct deal of Pandora, this time with Warner/Chappell
Online radio company Pandora has signed a multiyear licensing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music. The public statement about the partnership says it will offer increased rate certainty and product flexibility for Pandora, while Warner/Chappell receives improved royalties for its songwriters. Continue Reading
Taylor Swift tour video to be Apple Music exclusive
Taylor Swift has announced that the concert video for her 1989 World Tour is going to be an Apple Music exclusive. The video will be available starting Dec. 20. Swift said she would do an interview about the world tour on Beats 1. Before it even launched, Taylor Swift made perfectly clear that she was going to ally with Apple Music. Continue Reading
Free tool for Rdio users to port over to Spotify
The announcement of Rdio’s bankruptcy caused a stir for users of the service, curious how to preserve their listening history and playlists. As is often the case in this situation, an ambitious denizen of the Internet has emerged with a new solution. Continue Reading
Pandora toes the on-demand line with Thumbprint Radio
Pandora’s latest experiment is a personalized station dubbed Thumbprint Radio. This channel is generated from all of the tracks a user has given thumbs up to across the years. Yes, that can create transitions as strange and wonderful as you imagine it will. Continue Reading
On the Move: Promotions at Vevo, NMPA
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves find execs rising through the ranks at Vevo and the National Music Publishers Association. Continue Reading
Pandora arrives on Apple TV
Pandora has launched a new native app for the Apple TV. The program brings the core Pandora features of managing, creating, and listening to radio stations to the Apple hardware. The Apple TV poses an interesting challenge in the living room entertainment space. Continue Reading
Aurous settles with RIAA for $3 million and folds
It was a short run. Aurous has formally settled with the RIAA for $3 million and has officially shut down. Aurous appeared on the scene in October, promoting itself as a free (and ad-free) streaming platform that pulled music from licensed third-party sources. Continue Reading
Wall Street Journal launches podcast suite
The Wall Street Journal has hopped on the podcasting bandwagon. The publication launched WSJ Podcasts, a suite of 12 shows covering topics in news, tech, and finance. The Panoply podcast network is partnering with WSJ for distribution. Continue Reading
Virgin, Verizon explore data-free streaming programs to mixed response
We have seen increased interest among mobile service providers in letting customers use select platforms without charging their data plans. Virgin Mobile and Verizon are both making inroads into the space, but there has been skepticism about how the carriers may go about securing those partnerships. Continue Reading