Spotify acquires startup MightyTV
Spotify has made another startup acquisition. This time the purchased company is MightyTV, a company specializing in video recommendations. Financial terms were not disclosed. Continue Reading
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Spotify testing video in playlists
Listeners browsing through Spotify’s RapCaviar playlist may find themselves becoming viewers. The streaming service is experimenting with a mixed audio and visual format in its popular rap playlist. Clips range from an intro and outro video for the curated playlist to full-length music videos. Continue Reading
Rumor Fact(ory): Spotify nearing major label deals with some surprising propositions
Financial Times is the source of the latest Spotify speculation, reporting that the streaming service is close to final licensing deals with the major labels. The core of those arrangements, is that Spotify would pay a lower royalty fee to the labels, but in exchange would temporarily gate major album releases for paying customers. Continue Reading
Spotify and Waze join for smartphone app integration
Spotify has another tech integration intended for in-car listening. The streaming music service is collaborating with navigation app Waze, and elements of each service will be added to the other. This tie-up means that you can start a Waze trip while in Spotify. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: SoundCloud sale questions; YouTube TV; Ed Sheeran; Spotify’s rainy day tune
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Value vs price at SoundCloud; YouTube’s new live TV service; Ed Sheeran’s new album destroys records; Spotify’s rainy weather track. Continue Reading
Spotify acquires Sonalytic
Spotify has acquired a UK startup, further growing its behind-the-scenes tech capabilities. Sonalytic, which was just founded in April 2016, specializes in audio detection. No financial details were disclosed. Continue Reading
Spotify running small tests of lossless audio option
Spotify appears to be testing the hi-fi audio waters. Some users of the streaming service appear to have been chosen to test a version of Spotify’s premium features coupled with lossless, CD-quality audio. According to screenshots of the A/B testing for Spotify Hi-Fi, the potential upgrade could add between $5 and $10 a month to the existing monthly cost. Continue Reading
Spotify: 50-million subscribers
Spotify used Twitter to announce its milestone of 50-million subscribers, and to thank its customers. By any standard, Spotify’s subscriber growth has been impressive. The company noted 40-million paying users in September, and 30-million less than a year ago. Continue Reading
Spotify announces launch of original podcast production
Spotify has been nibbling at podcast distribution for over a year, bundling a substantial range of popular shows into the otherwise all-music app. Now the global leader in on-demand music leans into on-demand podcasting with an announcement of three original shows to be launched in coming weeks. Continue Reading
PayPal survey points to majority mobile listening
PayPal led a survey about digital media consumers. The global survey covered 10 markets and about 10,000 consumers about their digital media habits. According to the results, 86% of music consumers listen on their smartphones, making it the top hardware choice for listening. Continue Reading
Soundtrack Your Brand receives $22 million funding round
Soundtrack Your Brand has received financing of $22 million. Nordic VC fund Industrifonden and the U.K.’s Balderton Capital led the found. The company, which is backed by Spotify and founded by former Spotify execs, is a B2B version of the streaming service. Continue Reading
Spotify doubling size with new NYC office next year
Spotify is relocating its New York City operations, but the change is happening with a little extra pomp and circumstance. The move was announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Spotify will be benefitting from up to $11 million in rent credits from the Empire State Development Corporation. Continue Reading