Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: YouTube to make original shows for free viewing; PIAS manager talks live video potential; Harry Styles fans try gaming the charts. Continue Reading
ESPN is bringing back its TrueHoop podcasts with a few small changes. The sports broadcasting platform has made some cuts to its editorial staff recently, and last week it had shut down the TrueHoop podcast network. Continue Reading
Spotify is reportedly making plans to lease a new office space in London. The company is in advanced negotiations for a 60,000 square foot space, three times the size of its current office in the UK. Continue Reading
The Orchard, an independent music distributor owned by Sony, has acquired two of its rivals. It has purchased German-based finetunes and Norway-based Phonofile. The labels distributed by these companies will gain access to the services provided by The Orchard. Continue Reading
Apple has posted its Q2 2017 results. Quarterly revenue for the tech giant totaled $52.9 billion, up from $50.6 billion in the year-ago period. Apple does not break out any of the financial details for its streaming music platform, but that product is included in its Services arm along with revenue from any of its digital content. Continue Reading
Rights administration specialist Kobalt Music Group has announced some updates to its top leadership. First, Richard Sanders has stepped down as the company’s president and chief revenue officer. Laurent Hubert, who heads the company’s platform and investments team, will be replacing Sanders. Continue Reading
YouTube is trialling a redesign of its desktop product, offering an advanced look and soliciting feedback on the changes. The new look is based on the Material Design philosophy, an approach to presenting digital experiences. According to a blog post announcing the redesign, YouTube said the key principles are simplicity, consistency, and beauty. Continue Reading
Registration for the June 21 RAIN Podcast Business Summit opens today, as tickets for the milestone conference go on sale at the Early Pricing level for a limited time. Between now and May 16 attendees may register to be part of the event at New York’s AXA Event & Production Center for $299. Continue Reading
Tencent Music Entertainment Group is working on an initial public offering that could see the business valued at $10 billion, according to the China Money Network. The company is part of Chinese conglomerate Tencent. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has announced a new promotion that seems aimed at encouraging new listeners to test out its paid service. The audio platform is offering three months of access to SoundCloud Go+ for just $1. The plan normally costs $9.99 a month. Continue Reading
Global streaming revenue was up 60% in 2016, according to the International Federation of Phonographic Industries (IFPI) annual report. Streaming revenue nudged the industry upward as a whole. Within that good news, a centerpiece of the report is an analysis of the “value gap,” emblemized by YouTube. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: An Apple Music interview on its video future; ongoing FM shutdown in Norway; mobile leading digital ad spend. Continue Reading