In sign of the times, Led Zeppelin opens catalog to more streaming services

In the early days of streaming, it wasn’t uncommon for big-name musicians to withhold their catalogs from online services. Led Zeppelin was a famed holdout, to the point where the band giving exclusive rights to Spotify back in 2013 was groundbreaking. So it’s a sign of the times that the Zep is expanding where you can hear its music. This week, the band opened up its library to listeners on several more platforms, including some that specialize in hi-def listening, such as Tidal and Deezer Elite. Continue Reading

Deezer acquires Muve Music from AT&T/Cricket

Deezer announced that it has bought Muve Music, a streaming service for phones only, from Cricket, a U.S. wireless carrier. Muve will be expanded to include Deezer’s song library and open up smart radio stations. Deezer will still be offering Muve to Cricket customers; the service will cost $6 for those who are signed up for a monthly cell phone plan of at least $35. Continue Reading

Beth Murphy, Deezer’s new CMO, on a U.S. launch and growing Stitcher

Deezer announced the appointment of Beth Murphy as its new chief marketing officer. She will lead the global brand in addition to guiding efforts in product marketing, product management, acquisition, engagement and customer service in the U.S. and worldwide. We asked her about the company’s plays for Stitcher and a full launch of its streaming service in the U.S. Continue Reading

Podcast One issues takedown demand to Stitcher; we talk to Norm Pattiz

Podcast producer, ad-repping company, and listening platform Podcast One issued a takedown demand to podcast listening app Stitcher, calling for the removal of Podcast One programs from the Stitcher platform. We spoke with Podcast One founder Norm Pattiz about the situation status, and what it means for podcasting. Continue Reading

Millicom partners with Deezer for streaming music service in Africa

Telecom company Millicom announced that it is expanding its partnership with Deezer into five new markets across Africa. The firm’s Tigo brand will be working with Deezer to launch its Tigo Music streaming service in Ghana, Chad, DR Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania over the coming months. Tigo will market and distribute the music service by bundling it with mobile data packs for its growing smartphone population. Continue Reading

Deezer exec sheds light on unique U.S. strategy in interview

Deezer’s unusual arrival into the U.S. market has had us scratching our heads for several weeks. First an Elite plan only for Sonos owners, then a Premium+ one for the only marginally less costly Bose speakers? In an interview with CNET, North American CEO Tyler Goldman explained that audiophiles were just the first of many demographics that Deezer planned to target. He said the streaming service would be launching products for other U.S. segments over the next year. Continue Reading

Deezer reportedly partnering with Vodacom for South Africa deal

Deezer may be getting a leg up in the South African market for music streaming thanks to a partnership with Vodacom Group. Bloomberg cited an unnamed person familiar with the negotiations who said the Vodafone unit would offer its customers access to Deezer through an exclusive year-long deal. Neither Deezer nor Vodacom offered comment on the report. Continue Reading