Hi-Res audio (also called Hi-Def, HD, HiFi, and other nicknames) has been an added value feature in music streaming apps since Tidal charted that course with its 2x pricing model. Now that business model is at risk of being debunked. We test Amazon’s ULTRA HD. Continue Reading
Changes at Apple Music. The Beats 1 global live-streamed station undergoes a branding change, morphing into Apple Music Radio. More descriptive, if also more bland. Additionally, two new stations are created, forming a small ecosystem of streamed programming: Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country. All three stations are available in 165 countries. Zane Lowe remains as creative director. Continue Reading
“Spotify Keeps Apple Music at Arm’s Length” is the title of a new graph sent to us by Statista. The upshot is that Spotify appears to be reaching for a 2-to-1 subscriber advantage over Apple Music. Continue Reading
During fast-moving upheaval, one initiative strives to create stillness: “The Show Must Be Paused,” a plea started by two Atlantic Records execs , directed at the music industry, to publicly recognize racism generally, and the deaths of blacks at the hands of police specifically. Apple Music and Spotify are both participating. Continue Reading
Apple has reported its financial results for the three months ending March 28. The performance overall showed slowing growth, although many of its important metrics still trended upwards. Continue Reading
Apple Music is now available on Samsung Smart TVs. It is the first TV brand to integrate the streaming music platform on its devices. The music program will be available on models dating back to 2018. Continue Reading
Apple is rolling out its Services platform to 20 new markets. The move brings Apple Podcasts, the App Store, and more to a vast new international audience. Apple Music is going even bigger, launching in 52 more additional countries. Continue Reading
Apple Music has taken the browser-based version of its streaming service out of beta. This web iteration of the platform has been in testing for months after its initial introduction in September. Continue Reading
Apple Music has launched a fund to help insure artists get paid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform is creating a $50 million advance royalty fund for paying artists through independent record labels. Continue Reading
Counterpoint Research added its own data to the body of research into music streaming. The company found that global online music streaming subscriptions grew 32% on-year during 2019, reaching a total of 358 million. In its data, Spotify was the leading streaming platform last year. Continue Reading
Online audio has long been one of the central topics in the Infinite Dial survey, both in tracking overall consumption and in monitoring brand rivalries in the U.S. Monthly online audio listening in the U.S. reached 68%, or an estimated 192 million, in 2020. While younger generations have often been the drivers of digital uptake, this time the growth happened in older age groups. Continue Reading
Apple has reportedly signed new licensing agreements for its streaming service. Financial Times reported that the company secured multi-year deals with the three majors. Continue Reading