Mixcloud reaches 1 million curators
Mixcloud announced that it has reached a milestone of 1 million curators. The online radio service collects uploads of radio shows, DJ mixes, and podcasts from that million-strong audience. Continue Reading
News
Amazon planning two music streaming services (with one at half-price)
Amazon has been showing interest in launching a standalone streaming music service for months, but according to the latest reports, the tech giant won’t be happy with just one. Amazon appears to be considering two services: one that would match the industry standard of unlimited on-demand access for $10 a month; the other would be half the price and would only work on the company’s Echo home speaker hardware. Continue Reading
Frank Ocean’s Apple exclusive is out: A surprise title, but not a surprise launch
After much anticipation, Frank Ocean has released his new album. The project is titled Blonde, although previous reports pegged the name as Boys Don’t Cry. The arrival of a new Apple Music exclusive is getting to be dime-a-dozen news, but Ocean’s new project does have a few key takeaways. Continue Reading
Deezer’s North America CEO departs
Tyler Goldman has departed Deezer. The streaming company has not issued any formal comment yet about the exit or who will step in to oversee operations in the region. Continue Reading
Rednote enters the music messaging space
Undeterred by the uphill battle and recent closures in the space, there’s another new player in the crossovers of music, social media, and mobile. The company is called Rednote. It’s a messaging app where users can share music clips, currently slated for launch this fall. Continue Reading
Samsung is closing Milk Music for good
Samsung announced that it is closing down the Milk Music streaming service. The platform will shutter on Sept. 22 this year. This marks the end of a rather tumultuous life-span for the Samsung music project. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: NPR cuts comments; NextRadio targets monetization
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: NPR is the latest media group to axe online comments; NextRadio hybrid app targets monetization. Continue Reading
Frank Ocean puts visual album up on Apple Music in latest distribution experiment
Frank Ocean still hasn’t dropped his anticipated Boys Don’t Cry album yet, but he did release something. The R&B artist is airing what’s being called a visual album as an Apple Music exclusive. This year has been a milestone for artists experimenting with unique distribution methods. Continue Reading
Deezer adds Ecuadorian telecom deal
Deezer has been one of the more active streaming services when it comes to tie-ups in the telecom sector. The latest one is with CNT, the state-owned operator in Ecuador. Continue Reading
David Gray’s new Best Of collection is a dynamic Spotify playlist
David Gray is getting a “Best Of” collection, but he and Kobalt Label Services are taking a unique approach in distribution. The release will be on sale as a CD and vinyl format in October, but for now, it’s a dynamic Spotify playlist. Rather than serve as a traditional album release, the Best Of playlist will be updated every week to reflect the most popular tracks by the artist. Continue Reading
Pandora reportedly close to on-demand launch
Pandora executives have publicly committed to an end-of-year timeline for launching the company’s upcoming on-demand music service, which will compete directly with Spotify. But a report in this morning’s Wall Street Journal says that the launch could be as soon as next month, citing unnamed sources. Continue Reading
Vevo seeking up to $500 million in new fundraising
Music video service Vevo is reportedly seeking up to $500 million from new investors. Sources told the Financial Times that the financing would be put toward international expansion, potential acquisitions, and possibly developing new services for mobile and television. Continue Reading