Spotify is looking to make a hire in hardware development, the latest sign that the company might have aspirations beyond software. Music Ally found listings for three jobs at the streaming service. The current device du jour is the smart speaker; is Spotify aiming to enter this crowded segment? Continue Reading
Three audio industry experts have banded together for the launch of holding company Media Creek. The new operation will focus on businesses in audio. Media Creek is starting operation with the announcement that it is now the parent company of both Live365 and EmpireStreaming. Continue Reading
A trio of archivists and podcast fanatics have received a grant to help educate podcasters on how to preserve their work. The $142,000 grant from the The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will fund the creation of a podcast focused on topics in podcast preservation. Continue Reading
Audible is broadening its scope to include theater. The Amazon division is producing plays with the aim of recording the performances and turning them into audiobooks and podcasts. In addition to sponsoring performances to be recorded, Audible established a $5 million fund to commission new works by emerging artists. Continue Reading
France posted a 3.9% increase in recorded music revenue in 2017. The Syndicat National de l’édition Phonographique, or SNEP, reported annual sales of €583 million in a second year of growth. Streaming revenue increased 23% for the year, reaching €243 million and securing a 41.6% share of the French market. Continue Reading
The Los Angeles Times interviewed Neil Young, talking about music projects old and new with the rocker. He is still on the same crusade for audio quality with his recently unveiled Neil Young Archives as he was with Pono Music, his multi-million dollar crowdfunded project that recently shuttered. And Young has some definite, if bizarre, opinions on why Pono failed. Continue Reading
HBO has launched a limited-run podcast to accompany one of its new shows. The podcast is titled Where Do You Exist? and the first episode is currently available on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. It was designed as a complement to new drama series Here And Now. Continue Reading
Universal Music Group posted revenue of €5.673 billion in 2017, up 10% from the previous year. Revenue from streaming and subscriptions grew 35.4%, which offset declining revenue from both downloads and physical sales. Continue Reading
Pandora Premium is now available as a web version to complement the existing mobile experience of the on-demand streaming service. When the paid option launched in March 2017, it was only available as a mobile app for iOS and Android platforms. Continue Reading
Amazon is continuing to mobilize for an expansion into India. The latest development is Amazon Prime Music extending its deal with Warner Music Group to offer the label’s catalog to listeners in that market. According to The Economic Times, this marks the sixth deal to expand the Prime Music library that will be available in India. Continue Reading
South By Southwest will return to Austin, Texas, next month. Several audio companies are looking to make their mark on the interdisciplinary conference. Pandora announced that it will host music performances at The Gatsby from March 13-15. Podcast platform Stitcher will also have a presence at SXSW. Continue Reading
Recode’s Code Media Conference has had a few notable appearances from the audio and music space. New SoundCloud CEO Kerry Trainor recently took his turn in the hot seat, marking his first public interview since taking the helm at the audio company. Continue Reading