Guvera looking to offload Blinkbox Music just six months after buying it

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Blinkbox Music started out the year with so much promise. The music service was sold by UK retailer Tesco to a new owner, up-and-coming streaming platform Guvera.

Unfortunately, things have gone south with the new alliance. Guvera placed Blinkbox into administration in early June and let 100 of its staff members go. “The company has faced significant financial pressure in recent months, since its acquisition by the Guvera group,” said Finbarr O’Connell, one of the joint administrators for Blinkbox. Continue Reading →

Taylor Swift gets Apple Music to reverse policy on free trial royalty payments

Posted on by Anna Washenko

We recently reported that Taylor Swift’s latest album would not be available through Apple Music. Yesterday, Swift published a Tumblr post explaining why. She questioned Apple’s decision to not pay any royalties to artists, songwriters, or producers for song plays during listeners’ three-month free trials. “These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much,” she said. Continue Reading →

Internet Radio Rewind #48: Spotify positioning; Internet radio $$; Obama on a podcast

Posted on by Brad Hill

A weekly podcast from RAIN News

Sponsored by AudioBoom

The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Is Spotify positioning? Internet radio makes more money; DI.fm crosses over a fence; Google’s classical venture; Obama on a podcast Continue Reading →

Taylor Swift’s “1989” album won’t be on Apple Music at launch

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Taylor Swift made waves in the music industry when she opted to remove her entire catalog from Spotify. She explained at the time that she didn’t want to support “the perception that music has no value and should be free.” So it’s a bit of a surprise to learn that her latest album won’t be available on Apple Music. Both Apple and Swift’s label told BuzzFeed News that her popular “1989” album won’t be available at the launch of the new streaming service. Continue Reading →