Muso has released its latest piracy statistics for 2018. Its new report found that piracy websites attracted 189 billion visits last year, down from 300 billion visits in 2017. Those totals include illegal access of all forms of entertainment. Continue Reading
The Infinite Dial always provides a snapshot of how Americans consume audio, and as more of the country shifts to streaming models, that has created tighter competition across those platforms to be the music provider of choice. With several companies expanding their content offerings to be more than just music, and with big bucks on the line in potential acquisitions, where people listen has become an even more impactful choice in 2019. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Two complicated stories top the newsletter this week, one about linking to audio Australia and one about big cuts at Global in the UK. Continue Reading
Musonomics, a consulting and analytics firm for the music industry, has released a report about the operational changes undergone by music labels in the streaming era. It is authored by Musonomics founder Larry Miller and commissioned by the RIAA. Continue Reading
The Consumer Technology Association released a report with its projections for spending by U.S. shoppers this year. The report anticipated that the latest tech developments will spur a record-breaking $398 billion in retail revenue during 2019. On-demand music services are projected to grow revenue in double-digit percentages. Continue Reading
Anna Washenko (RAIN News editor) and Brad Hill (RAIN president) offer a few points of outlook for 2019. On Friday, January 4, watch for the annual RAIN News 2019 Predictions from participating industry leaders. Continue Reading
RAIN’s most important 2018 coverage of research and metrics in digital audio. Continue Reading
Apple Music has landed an exclusive deal with Ministry of Sound. Under the terms of the deal, the dance music specialist will only make its curated playlists available on the Apple streaming service beginning October 4. The agreement reflects a shift in how both labels and streaming services are approaching exclusive content. Continue Reading
The Music Modernization Act has passed by unanimous consent in the Senate, an approval that marks a huge step forward towards overhauling mechanical licensing in the United States. The legislation took a risky path of hotlining, where unanimous support is required for approval. Continue Reading
SoundExchange distributed $208.7 million in sound recording performance royalties during the second quarter, bringing its 2018 distributions to date to more than $398.6 million. The performance royalty distributor had several other noteworthy activities in the period that it shared in its most recent report. Continue Reading
Tencent is slowly progressing with its plan to spin out its music branch into a standalone business that will eventually list in the United States. The latest move from the entertainment conglomerate was a filing this weekend with the Hong Kong stock exchange announcing its proposed change that would see Tencent Music Entertainment Group become a separate entity. Continue Reading
This weekend officially marked the end of an era for retailer Best Buy. The company ended its sales of compact discs on July 1, a move that was first hinted at back in February. The move is a strong reaction from the retail sector in response to the steady drop in physical music sales. Continue Reading