Bottom-line profit in the streaming music business is elusive, and progress is measured less by reduced losses as by audience and revenue growth. That’s why Spotify is so happy about its 2015 financials. Continue Reading
Spotify has altered the pricing structure for its family plan. Under the new pricing, a family plan includes up to six individual Premium accounts for $14.99. The feature set for the plan is unchanged. Continue Reading
Spotify has hired Francis Keeling as its new vice president, global head of licensing, effective June 1. Keeling joins the streaming service after a 14-year tenure at Universal Music Group. “Francis is one of the very best in the business,” said Stefan Blom, Spotify’s chief content officer. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: One ex-radio career news specialist decries the downfall of an award-winning station; pirates interfere with licensed radio; Microsoft kills off its in-phone radio tuner. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: More records for Drake’s record; a rational take on Radiohead and Spotify; Spotify exec talks Apple Music impact. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include big hires for Universal Music Group and Gaana. Also a new face is joining Spotify’s Asian operations. Continue Reading
The American Music Rights Association (AMRA), owned by music publisher Kobalt, which claims to be the largest independent music publisher in the world, reported increased earnings from both YouTube and Spotify in Q3 2015. During its first three months of administering Kobalt’s catalog in Europe, AMRA saw a 26% increase in Spotify earnings and a 34% increase in YouTube earnings for the publishing client. Continue Reading
Spotify is planning to create 12 original video series. A few months after adding video clips to its mobile service, Spotify is introducing a roster of original shows, with episodes running just 15 minutes or less. This new content will initially roll out to the streaming service’s free and paid users in the U.S., the UK, Germany, and Sweden. Continue Reading
Today marks a big development in the B2B music space, as Soundtrack Your Brand arrives in the U.S. through a deal with McDonald’s. Soundtrack also announced that it has received a total of $20 million in funding to date. It is backed by Spotify, which also owns a third of the company, and works with businesses to set the music they want played at their stores. Continue Reading
Spotify has been doubling down on its advertising business, which supports the Spotify Free consumer experience, for over a year. Today brings more emphasis on the advertising business. Spotify has announced new hires and promotions within its global ad team. Continue Reading
Spotify has acquired CrowdAlbum, an aggregator of photos and videos from concerts. The service, which launched in 2013, offers artists a visual album of their tours. It also helps them to identify and connect with fans. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Sonos gets Prime Music in EU; Spotify denies hack, despite weirdness. Continue Reading