Apple has introduced an analytics dashboard that offers insights into listener behavior within the tech company’s streaming music service. Apple Music for Artists is only available to a few thousand performers in the initial rollout. Feedback from these artists made result in tweaks or improvements to the system before its broad launch in spring. Continue Reading
Information about the Spanish recorded music industry came to light over the weekend, with an optimistic report from Promusicae, a member organization of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). There were three headline points for the Spanish recording industry in 2017. Continue Reading
Mixcloud has furthered its relationship with W Hotels Worldwide, an arm of Marriott International. The companies are collaborating on special art and music events at six W Hotels around the world. Creative professionals have been invited to share their work for the series, dubbed Future Rising II: Wonderland. Continue Reading
Apple’s Siri voice assistant is getting a closer relationship with podcasts. When asking Siri for news, the platform can provide audio-based news updates from the Podcasts app. In the U.S., Siri defaults to audio updates from NPR, but a second voice command can change the default to The Washington Post, CNN, or Fox News. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has shifted its statistics to be updated in real time. The audio platform is making data around plays, likes, reposts, comments, and downloads available to artists in real time. The new data is available in the Today custom view within the stats page on the web version of the service or in the SoundCloud Pulse app. Continue Reading
Amazon announced that it will launch its Echo smart speaker line in Australia and New Zealand. Pre-orders for the devices begin today, and the first shipments are expected in early February. In addition the company is rolling out Amazon Music Unlimited in those two markets starting February 1. Continue Reading
Private equity firm Diversis Capital has acquired media software company Marketron from previous owner BlackRock Capital. In the deal, Diversis names Michael Collins as Marketron CEO, exiting previous chief executive Jeff Haley. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Podcasts are now 25% at Slate. YouTube tightens access to ad program. Programmatic and podcasts at Spotify. Continue Reading
Stream ripping has been at the forefront of music piracy for a few years now, and it continues to be a concern for the industry. The practice was a focus in the 2017 Notorious Markets List from the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The report has placed a focus on digital piracy in recent years, and stream ripping was the focus in the 2016 edition. It remains a top concern in the 2017 version. Continue Reading
B2B music provider 7digital announced last week that it has signed on to power playlisting platform 8tracks. The companies have agreed to at least one year of collaboration. Under these terms, 7digital will provide hosting and streaming for all of 8tracks’ directly licensed music. Continue Reading
A group of popular performers has filed an amicus brief against Pandora centered on pre-1972 recordings. Jeffrey Knowles and Julia D. Greer of Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP filed the brief in the California lawsuit on January 12. Continue Reading
Warner Music Group (WMG) is reportedly attempting to ease 130 employees out of the company, offering them buyouts. According to Billboard, those staffers “deal with physical product,” which probably means the CD part of Warner’s business. The action is targeted within WEA, the distribution, marketing and sales division of WMG. Billboard’s sources indicate that the projected cost saving would be applied to distribution and marketing of streaming music. Continue Reading