Spotify just changed the rules of the game, raising an unprecedented $1 billion in convertible debt. Guest columnist Mark Mulligan analyzes — what is Spotify’s strategy, and where will growth come from. One key: “The 9.99 subscription model is incredibly difficult (perhaps impossible) to run profitably at scale.” Continue Reading
AccuRadio has announced a new channel launched in honor of First Contact Day. Wait — you don’t know what First Contact Day is? Read on. Continue Reading
Taylor and the Cupertino crew have been pretty close since the official launch of Apple Music. The relationship got even more serious today, as she is now appearing in an ad for the streaming platform. Continue Reading
The Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana, Italy’s music trade body, released its 2015 report, which showed continued growth for both digital and physical formats. The industry posted 21% overall growth to €148 million ($169 million) for the year. Continue Reading
The music industry is taking a stand against the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, with more than 100 artists and managers petitioning the U.S. Copyright Office to change the current safe harbor laws. The industry has submitted three letters to the office – one from music managers, one from creators, and one from artists and songwriters – explaining their concerns with the existing interpretation of the regulation and calling for change. Continue Reading
Tidal doesn’t take a day off. The company is back in headlines again, but this time with nothing related to music. Page Six reported that the music platform is looking to expand on its burgeoning video content initiative with the addition of full-length movies. This new film component could reportedly launch as early as June. Continue Reading
Never is a very long time. Or, if you’re Kanye West, it’s somewhere in the range of seven weeks. West’s latest album was released on Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Play today. It’s also now available for purchase through West’s website. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Will iHeartMedia Survive? To SoundCloud, Love Dave. Audio advertising changing the tune for advertisers. David Lowery talks streaming, royalties, and solutions. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include a major exit from Sonos, a promotion at Vevo, and a new face joining Vine. Continue Reading
Eighty-five companies (so far) have grabbed seats at RAIN Summit West, the must-attend gathering of the online audio industry. The company attendee list includes broadcasters, Internet radio firms, digital audio advertising groups, research companies, technology service providers to the audio industry, law firms, music royalty administration companies, digital marketing services, and more. Click through to see. Continue Reading
Samsung is ending its Milk Music service in Australia on April 28. The streaming platform launched in the country last February. Samsung is reportedly offering Milk customers three free months of access to Google Play Music subscriptions as a consolation. Continue Reading
Deezer has been exploring new niches in music data. The latest project analyzes which tracks have the highest binge-listening potential, the ones that get many repeat listens. Deezer also released its tunes with the most streams so far in 2016. Continue Reading