Universal Music Group has posted streaming revenue of €1.44 billion ($1.6 billion) in the first nine months of 2017, up 40.8% over the same period. In just the third quarter, the label’s streaming revenue reached €481 million ($535 million). Continue Reading
XAPPmedia launched a custom Alexa skill for Jazz FM. The debut makes Jazz FM the first UK radio station to roll out a custom Alexa skill. The station’s voice command has also launched in the U.S. and in India. Continue Reading
Spotify has acquired Soundtrap, an online music studio that lets people collaborate on music creation in real time. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Soundtrap’s service will continue to be available. Continue Reading
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) hosted a webinar to share data into smart speaker ownership. Of the more than 3,000 U.S. participants in its September music consumption survey by AudienceNet/LOOP, 10% said they owned an Amazon Echo and 3% owned a Google Home. The results shows a strong correlation between smart speaker ownership and use of the device for music consumption. Continue Reading
Public media video app VuHaus has added another Chicago station to its roster of affiliates. Vocalo Radio 91.1 is an urban alternative station with programming in hip-hop, R&B, dance, and DJ culture. It is a sister station to Chicago public media station WBEZ 91.5, and is the inaugural Chicago source to join VuHaus. Continue Reading
A new startup called UnitedMasters is looking to drive a wedge into the entrenched dominance of the major label system. Former Interscope exec Steve Stoute founded UnitedMasters, which bills itself as a specialist in digital music distribution, marketing, and insights. Continue Reading
Podtrac has published its ranking of the top podcasts in October 2017, a month with an unusual amount of shuffling among the most popular shows. Three podcasts joined the list for the first time, while the rest of the ranking included the same shows as in September. Continue Reading
Warner Music Group has entered a licensing deal with Anghami, a streaming platform serving the Middle East and Africa. Thanks to the deal, Warner’s catalog will be available to Anghami’s entire audience of more than 50 million users. Continue Reading
Deezer has launched a desktop app for both Mac and Windows that supports FLAC lossless audio. It will have exclusive video content such as interviews and performances. It will also highlight localized content for listeners in France, Germany, UK, Brazil, and Latin America. Continue Reading
Amazon announced a rollout of several products in Canada. First, the Echo suite of smart speakers and the Alexa voice control system have launched in the country. Second, Amazon has launched Prime Music for Canadian listeners. Continue Reading
Kickstarter has relaunched the subscription service Drip. The crowdfunding site acquired Drip in March 2016, saving the platform from shutting down. In its original form, Drip allowed fans to subscribe to individual performers. Under Kickstarter’s umbrella, the subscriptions will still be for individuals, but more than musicians can participate. Continue Reading
YouTube has entered a partnership with Ticketmaster for a deal that will allow artists to include tour dates on their official music videos. The new feature will roll out first to any artists with North America Ticketmaster shows. Continue Reading