Country sensation Garth Brooks took his first baby step into the digital realm in July, but today he announced the beta launch of an entirely new online music service. It’s called GhostTunes.com. The focus with this platform is control for the musicians, but listeners will also have several options for how to enjoy their purchases. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Blinkbox hits a billion streams; WiMP expands internationally with Tidal; Spotify CEO on musicians making money. Continue Reading
Forbes published an article with predictions about Pandora’s audience base, estimating that its number of active users would grow from 76.2 million in 2013 to almost 120 million during the next five or six years. That’s a bold prediction, especially considering that Pandora actually posted a small dip in monthly active users in its second-quarter conference call. The expectation is based on projections for smartphone growth and connected cars, as well as a presumption that Pandora will expand internationally. Continue Reading
In a culmination of recent business developments, music service Rdio updated its apps and refocused its experience to emphasize free, ad-supported listening as a complement to its on-demand subscription service. The revised product line fulfills Rdio’s promise to open an ad-supported, free-listening line of business, as expressed by parent-company Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey in an April earnings call. We tested the iPod/iPhone app. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web. TODAY: Canadian streaming guide; Katz and Radio One; Sonos burns the Bridge. Continue Reading
Most online music platforms have such a large volume of songs and listeners that they unintentionally make sharing difficult. With the days of the mixtape long gone, there are few ways for people to share that song stuck on loop in their head with their friends. Enter This is My Jam, a polished resharing and curating service. Continue Reading
With album sales on the fritz, you’d think that CD Baby would be in dire straights. Yet the indie-friendly music retailer is actually getting aggressive with its business with the launch of a new service tier called CD Baby Free. This service eliminates the usual costs for musicians to sign up with the company and set up their songs. In exchange, CD Baby takes a 15 percent cut of digital sales rather than its usual 9 percent rate. Continue Reading
Brief news and worthy reads from around the web: Thefuture.fm’s artist payment system; T-Mobile Music Freedom vs net neutrality; protest over dot-music domains; Tango gets Rhapsody and SoundCloud. Continue Reading
We reported last week that Pono Music had launched a new equity crowdfunding project to raise additional funds for its hi-fi digital music player and store. Investors have pledged more than $5.24 million to the company thus far, and there are still two weeks to go. [Update: The campaign will now stretch until Sept. 30; how much money does Pono need?] Continue Reading
John Stephens didn’t expect his radio station to win the “Best of Saint Louis” reader poll. But after Our Musical Roots, his classic rock pureplay, got a lot of votes in the Riverfront Times annual survey, he had some questions. It turns out the station was eliminated from the winner’s list because, according to the newspaper, “Internet radio isn’t real radio.” This week station staff and listeners will protest with picket signs outside the newspaper offices. Continue Reading
8tracks, the profitable and uniquely differentiated music platform, has reportedly obtained a funding round of $1.28-million. Investor identity is not disclosed in a Series D form filed with the SEC. that form indicates that the total investment, after a second portion closes, will be worth $1.4-million. Continue Reading
This week: T-Mobile expands Music Freedom … TuneIn scores in sports … New Gracenote exec … Streaming metrics (from Denmark) … KKBOX gets big funding in Asia … Pandora in your face! (Google Glass, that is). Continue Reading