Some days it seems like SoundCloud just can’t catch a break. Last month, we reported on rumors that SoundCloud and Universal Music Group might at long last be nearing a deal. In the latest twist of the will-they-won’t-they saga, Universal appears to have gotten skittish. Continue Reading
The result of a large-scale consumer survey commissioned by Spotify was released today, assessing how consumers in 10 European countries listen to terrestrial radio and Spotify’s radio-like freemium platform. Called “The New Audio,” the study is positioned to brand marketers. Continue Reading
SAG-AFTRA’s roughly 160,000 members have ratified a new successor deal with the recording industry. Last month, the organization set out the details of the three-year arrangement, which included a new payment formula for revenue generated outside the U.S. by online streaming and non-permanent digital downloads. Continue Reading
Bite-sized news app Rivet Radio, released upgraded versions of its Android and iOS apps, and announced a new key partnership with Radiate Media which adds real-time, geo-targeted traffic updates to the news programming. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: SoundCloud CEO on labels, varied business models; Apple Music is tops down under; how Pandora’s CTO works. Continue Reading
The New York Post has reported new numbers about sign-ups at Apple Music. Considering how much hype centered around the new entry into the streaming market, it’s somewhat to be expected, but the degree to which rumors and speculation have swirled around Apple Music is impressive. Continue Reading
Streaming had a strong performance in the first half of 2015, according to the latest RIAA report. Overall wholesale revenue rose 0.8% to $2.3 billion compared with the year-ago period, and overall retail value inched down 0.5% to $3.2 billion. While those percentage changes are small, they do still mark a contrast from the group’s 2014 mid-year report, where the market’s wholesale revenue dropped 2.5% as streaming growth wasn’t enough to balance the losses in other sectors. Continue Reading
Mobile listening is more than a trend, and more than the future. Mobile is reality, now. At RAIN Summit Atlanta, five experts will participate in a discussion moderated by James Cridland, UK-based radio futurologist. Continue Reading
Deezer announced that it plans to hold an IPO later this year. The streaming service is currently projected to obtain a market valuation of about 1 billion euros ($1 billion). Going public could help the French platform to compete with other rival services in the increasingly crowded streaming space. Continue Reading
The U.S. Copyright Registrar issued a decision to the Copyright Royalty Board, ruling that Pandora’s use of its licensing deal with indie group Merlin was admissable evidence. It’s important because the Merlin deal is a lynchpin in Pandora’s argument for lower royalty rates starting in 2016. Continue Reading
SFX appeared to be pulling itself out of a financial hole last week with the announcement of $90 million in new funding. But the hits are still coming for the company. Its investors have reportedly hired a Los Angeles law firm to investigate SFX after allegations of fraud. Continue Reading
BMI announced that it will pay bonuses to the top songs on select streaming platforms. The performing rights organization’s new payment system complements the existing structures for premiums distributed to the top songs on radio and television channels. Continue Reading