RAIN 2018 highlights: Research & Metrics
RAIN’s most important 2018 coverage of research and metrics in digital audio. Continue Reading
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Apple Music to be exclusive home for Ministry of Sound playlists
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
Music Modernization Act for mechanical licensing overhaul leaps major hurdle with unanimous Senate approval
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 has distributed nearly $400 million to date in 2018
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 formally announces plans to spin off music division for stateside IPO
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
Best Buy ends CD sales in stores as streaming continues to drive music revenue
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
YouTube re-launches apps today; new Music service and subscription plans
As we noted last week, today is rollout day for a new YouTube Music app, and two new subscription plans for ad-free, downloadable YouTube use. Click through for plan details, a gloomy forecast (not from RAIN News), and quotes from Lyor Cohen. Continue Reading
SoundExchange debuts database for sharing music metadata and claiming ownerships
SoundExchange introduced a new tool called the Music Data Exchange. This application allows labels and publishers to share their data about music in a free database. It offers a hub for real-time metadata and data requests that could make it easier to claim ownership of a recording or composition. Continue Reading
Music Modernization Act passes House, songwriter support in the digital era
The Music Modernization Act (MMA) has convincingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The pending legislation benefits the creative class of the music industry — songwriters and composers, and enjoys a remarkable degree of across-the-aisle support, both politically and in the music industry. Continue Reading
Bandcamp posts a big year in 2017, offering an alternative for streaming-averse indies
Direct-to-fan platform Bandcamp has shared its 2017 year-in-review, with some solid statistics for independent performers. Bandcamp’s results show a markedly different path than the overall music industry, and the company had some sharp words reflecting on the status quo. Continue Reading
Best Buy and Target launch efforts to scale back CD sales
Two big box retailers are changing their policies when it comes to sales of CDs in moves that could further dampen sales of the format. Best Buy told suppliers that it will remove CDs from its stores completely beginning July 1. Target is pushing for a new sales model that places the financial burden on labels. Continue Reading
Major labels join to sue fitness app which streams music
A few major labels (Sony, Warner, Capitol and others) are reportedly suing Fit Radio, an app which streams music for workout routines, and provides cardio coaching. The app has been downloaded a million times from the Android store. The plaintiffs say its fitness music is being used without a proper license. Continue Reading