ASCAP reported that it distributed more than $1 billion to its members for the first time in 2017. The performing rights organization collected revenue of about $1.144 billion and distributed more than $1.007 billion last year. The group’s total revenue was up 8% on-year and distributions increased 10%. Continue Reading
MIDiA Research has shared its 2017 figures for the global recorded music market, and its results show a big year of growth thanks to a powerful performance from streaming. Global recorded music revenue hit $17.4 billion during 2017, up 8.5% from $16 billion in 2016. The year’s performance returns the global market to just below its levels from 2008. Continue Reading
Classical music streaming company Idagio has inked a deal to add Warner Classics’ catalog to its service. The Warner music, including new releases and its back catalog, will join the more than 650,000 tracks already available on Idagio. Warner Classics will also help create playlists for listeners that feature its material. Continue Reading
The NPR family has lost one of its icons. Carl Kasell passed away at age 84 from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. Kasell spent much of his life working in radio and broadcasting, and he joined NPR in 1975. Continue Reading
Spotify is soon to join the quarterly routine of reporting its business to U.S. and global investors — the Q1 date is May 2. Meanwhile, an April 24 media news event in New York is tickling rumors of changes to the Spotify free service, and its app interface. Continue Reading
Multiple analysts have weighed in recently with projections for Apple products. First, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI offered insights on the Apple HomePod. Second, Ben Schachter of Macquarie Capital had thoughts about Apple Music. Continue Reading
RAI, Italy’s public broadcaster, will be making more investments in digital radio. It announced the plans at an event last week and the radio director shared some of the details. Continue Reading
Podtrac’s podcast publisher ranking for March 2018 is now available. The results show another month with little fluctuation among the top performers putting out podcasts, and only one replacement from the prior month’s chart. Continue Reading
Amplifi Media CEO Steve Goldstein shares his thoughts about the panel he recently moderated at a NAB show that featured insights and data about podcasts. Continue Reading
Streaming and download service Qobuz has named Yann Miossec as its new CEO. “Working with this brand, promoting its projects, is my dream challenge,” he said. The Paris-based company specializes in hi-resolution music, and it is planning a United States launch and a possible IPO in the near future. Continue Reading
8tracks announced a new partnership that will see audio ads roll out on its service in Canada. The audio platform will be exclusively represented by leanStream, Canada’s largest ad marketplace. Available ad units include pre-roll, mid-roll, or special sponsorships such as branded playlists and first impression takeovers. Continue Reading
Carl Chery has departed his role as head of artist curation for hip-hop and R&B programming at Apple Music. He’ll be joining the team at Spotify, which recently had its own big curator departure when Tuma Basa relocated to YouTube. Variety first broke the news. Continue Reading