Russian social network VKontakte has unveiled a streaming music app. The platform will allow a free trial of 90 days before charging a monthly fee, although the rates have not been disclosed yet. Sony and Warner have both signed licensing agreements with VKontakte, but Universal has not. Continue Reading
Spotify has been doubling down on its advertising business, which supports the Spotify Free consumer experience, for over a year. Today brings more emphasis on the advertising business. Spotify has announced new hires and promotions within its global ad team. Continue Reading
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The news that Pandora acquired its second streaming podcast deal underscores the sometimes uncomfortable division in how podcasts are consumed — download or stream? Technically, the difference is artificial. But it becomes more important as a usability issue, and in audience measurement. Several mostly-music services are prioritizing podcast streaming, and stretching the definition of podcast consumption. Continue Reading
CÜR Media has appointed Jim Urie as its new top leader. Urie assumes the role of interim president and CEO in addition to the post of executive chairman for the board of directors. His resume includes 15 years as president of Universal Music Group Distribution, and 12 of those as CEO. Continue Reading
Apple Music is coming up on its first birthday and some big changes could be underway for the new streaming service on the block. Sources have told Bloomberg that the music platform will be receiving a redesigned user interface. The move to make the program more intuitive is expected to be announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Continue Reading
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) ruling of new webcast royalty rates to labels was published in the Federal Register yesterday, per process schedule. Now begins a one-month appeal window, during which participants may file litigation which contests the ruling. Who is permitted to appeal, and who is not? Click for details. Continue Reading
We’re keeping close tabs on the current wave of big album releases that are windowing their distribution. Here’s the latest data from the two top performers: Lemonade by Beyoncé and Views by Drake. Continue Reading
The BBC Global Audience Measure released its latest figures about the broadcaster’s global reach for the 2015/2016 year. Weekly worldwide audience for the BBC hit a record high of 348 million people, up 13% from the previous year. Continue Reading
Berlin-based SoundCloud has launched two initiatives in U.K. and Ireland which bring those markets up to speed with the SoundCloud experience in the U.S. First, the SoundCloud Go subscription plan is now available to those audiences. Second, the free-listening service is now supported with advertising, some of which will be supplied by the Global-owned DAX automated platform. Continue Reading
iHeartRadio announced that it has surpassed 85 million registered users. At a rate of 5 million users in three months, the company boasted that, “This growth means that iHeartRadio is still gaining users at a faster rate than Facebook and any other streaming music service!” Continue Reading
RAIN News has learned that Radionomy has pulled its stations from TuneIn’s U.S. listening audience, over the cost of music licensing under the new Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) royalty rates. Radionomy told RAIN News that the company asked TuneIn to geo-block the U.S. from Radionomy streams. It is the latest disruption in the webcast industry coming from CRB rates implemented on January 1. Continue Reading
The LG Stylus 2, the first smartphone with built-in DAB+ technology, has launched in the UK and Australia. It retails for £219.99 in the UK and A$499 in Australia. The digital radio smartphone debuted at Radiodays Europe. Continue Reading