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
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
It appears all is not well at CÜR Media. Several months ago, the company was touting a new approach to streaming with a service called CÜR Music that used gated access and social sharing to offer streaming at price points below the $9.99-a-month standard. Now, though, CÜR has reportedly failed to make its quarterly SEC filing. Continue Reading
Spotify is going full-steam ahead with its new video content, launching a documentary about Metallica. The four-part series is called Landmark – Metallica: The Early Years and the first episode is available today. Continue Reading
Telstra is offering data-free streaming of Apple Music to all its mobile customers. This new feature, along with three-month free subscriptions to three other video entertainment platforms, beginning Aug. 23. Continue Reading
Podcast network Wondery is launching its first original scripted series called Secrets, Crimes & Audiotape. The narrative audio series will share both drama and comedy stories centering crime, love, mystery and conspiracy. Continue Reading
Apple Music has added a new partnership with Cash Money Records. The streaming service has been following a strategy of exclusive releases, but this appears to be its first time linking up with an entire label. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Spotify exec on data-driven marketing; behind the scenes with Coloring Book’s success; Spotify as SoundCloud suitor? Continue Reading
Sun Broadcast Group has added eight new affiliates to the Shazam for Radio program. The service, which offers branded user experiences for radio stations within the Shazam app, already used by more than 1,000 channels owned by the major radio groups. Continue Reading
Several streaming services have been adding lyrics features to their core offerings, and Apple appears to be hiring to get those skills in-house. The tech company has a job posted for a Lyrics Curation Manager, someone to lead the lyrics efforts within the Content Curation umbrella. Continue Reading
YouTube has inked a deal with the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency, marking a step toward increased rights management for the online video platform in the northern nation. CMRRA will license the copies of audiovisual content made by YouTube in the process of delivering that content to its audience. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include a digital strategy hire at UMG, plus a new advisor for Revolver Podcasts and a new director at the NMPA. Continue Reading