Spotify is hosting an event later this month where it is expected to announce its launch in Thailand. The streaming platform’s Bangkok event is scheduled for August 22. The subscription costs will likely be revealed at that time. Continue Reading
For the past several months, we’ve been reporting on the wave of musical hires at Facebook. The social network has mobilized an in-house team, including licensing and business development professionals. Now, we might be seeing where those experts will be focusing their efforts. Continue Reading
The European Broadcasting Union is about to embark on the primary launch phase for access to dot-radio domain names. The domains are intended exclusively for broadcaster unions, broadcast radio stations, internet radio stations, radio amateurs, DJs, radio hosts, news people, and radio-related companies. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has reached an agreement with two investors to close a new round of financing. The Raine Group and Temasek have agreed to supply the service with “the largest financing round in the history of SoundCloud.” Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Where are the women? Updated Spotify desktop app display. New music…Thursdays? Continue Reading
SoundCloud’s current financial struggles may be reaching their final act. Axios business editor Dan Primack has shared information from a missive reportedly sent to SoundCloud shareholders that said Friday is the do-or-die date for the company to accept or reject its present reorganization proposal. Primack claims that CEO Alexander Ljung said that if the proposal is rejected, SoundCloud may not be able ”to continue as a going concern.” Continue Reading
The Los Angeles Times is developing a new multimedia presentation of an investigative report that will include a podcast component. Dirty John is a six-part series beginning October 2 that be include printed pieces, online articles, and podcast episodes. Podcast network Wondery will produce and distribute the audio format component of this investigation. Continue Reading
The first episode of Carpool Karaoke: The Series aired on Apple Music this week. The show’s debut demonstrates an ongoing shift in Apple’s aspirations and in what the company’s place in the entertainment world will be. Continue Reading
Europe’s Nordic region continues to be a standard-setter for digital music adoption. The Polaris Nordic Digital Music Survey 2017 surveyed residents in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark about their listening habits. It found that 80% of all inhabitants between the ages of 12 and 65 used at least one streaming service in the past year. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Audiobooks versus podcasts; Rap Caviar gets video; happy birthday to 8tracks! Continue Reading
Deezer has added support for the Google Home smart speaker in select markets. The voice controls let you access your Deezer library, and Google Home owners can ask the device directly to play their Flow playlist, a lean-back selection of personalized music choices. Continue Reading
The New York Times has published a data visualization comparing the popularity of top artists across the U.S. The publication used a cross-section of Billboard’s Top 100 artists and YouTube viewing data to create heat maps of where those performers are listened to the most (and the least). The artist maps offer insight into where and how some newer big acts got their surge to the top, who is keeping the familiar names atop the charts, and which regions have the most die-hard fan support for local heroes. And yes, there are some interesting surprises. Continue Reading