Quick Hits: BBC smartphone strategy; Corden pitches Apple; Spotify + Facebook?
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: BBC wants to own your phone; Corden stars in Apple Music ad; Spotify + Facebook? Continue Reading
Spotify
Spotify reportedly planning Japanese launch by month’s end
Spotify is expecting to launch soon in Japan. Unnamed sources told TechCrunch that the rollout is set to happen before the end of September. The streaming platform has had an office in Tokyo for more than a year and has been laying the groundwork for the expansion for even longer. Continue Reading
Spotify zips up to 40 million subscribers
Spotify has cruised past 40 million subscribers, adding 10 million since March of this year. The improvements in those paying listener numbers are good news for the on-demand streaming sector. Continue Reading
On the Move: Two high-profile departures
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves are both high-profile departures, one from Spotify and the other from Apple Music/iTunes. Continue Reading
Frank Ocean’s Blonde arrives on Spotify (if you can find it)
Frank Ocean’s new album Blonde was the latest album to spark debates about exclusive releases. Today, the album is available on other streaming services after two weeks as an Apple Music exclusive. But if you’re a Spotify subscriber who has been waiting to hear Blonde, you probably wouldn’t know it had arrived by opening the app. Continue Reading
New Spotify video series stars NFL players
Spotify is continuing its original video expansion with a new show called Trading Playlists. The program’s seven episodes pair up players from the National Football League to chat about their listening preferences and favorite tunes. Continue Reading
On the Move: In at streaming, out at labels
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include new additions to the teams at Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer. Continue Reading
Quick Hits: Vinyl, iHeartMedia, Starbucks, and songs of the summer
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Another spin on the vinyl resurgence; iHeartMedia turns to a future-proofing plan; new stories from Starbucks; Spotify songs of the summer. Continue Reading
Spotify may consider windowing some new music (for real this time?)
Spotify may finally be relaxing its hard line against windowing. The New York Post is reporting that Spotify might reverse the long-held stance that its entire catalog should be available to both free and paid listeners all the time. Continue Reading
Music exclusives emerge as industry flashpoint
It seems that each week kicks off with some new development in exclusive releases. The distribution approach has strong advocates and critics, and today’s news demonstrates just how controversial the path has quickly become for the music industry. Continue Reading
Spotify expands Songkick partnership
Spotify has amped up its partnership with Songkick, bringing Concerts tabs to all artist pages on the streaming platform. Songkick’s data includes listings and ticket links. The two parties have been working together since 2013. Continue Reading
Spotify reportedly up to 39M subs, still not interested in exclusives
One of Spotify’s latest hires announced that the streaming service now has 39 million paid subscribers. Troy Carter, global head of creator services, told Billboard that Spotify has added 9 million paying customers since the last audience update in March. The interview also touched on the streaming sector’s current race for exclusive releases. Continue Reading