Spotify has sent an email to Apple iOS subscribers, suggesting they cancel their Spotify Premium accounts, if those subscriptions were purchased through the Spotify app, and re-subscribe on Spotify’s website. There is an implied blame of Apple in Spotify’s communication that could be misplaced. We suggest a different approach. Continue Reading
With the entry of Apple Music into the streaming industry, many have wondered whether the backing of the tech giant would be enough to challenge Spotify’s dominant position. After the first week, it’s looking like no. Continue Reading
Apple is late to the on-demand party. It was late with MP3 players, too, and quickly took over that market. It was late with iTunes Radio, with no evident impact. There seems to be more supply for music subscriptions than demand. What are the competitive dynamics? Continue Reading
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Spotify doubles down on data; radio’s generational shift; Obama goes on a podcast; Asheville radio station goes non-commercial for one month. Continue Reading
Spotify has acquired Seed Scientific, adding to its cadre of big data capabilities. Under the new ownership, Seed Scientific will focus on analyzing the interactions artists, listeners, and brands have with the streaming platform. It will be the basis of a new Advanced Analytics division at Spotify, led by Seed’s founder and CEO Adam Bly. Continue Reading
The Financial Times published a list of the top 50 tech entrepreneurs in Europe, and the rankings included several key players from the music industry. The list of CEOs and founders was compiled with the help of Founders Forum. Any nominees had to either be European nationals or live in Europe while running a tech company. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek took the top spot. Continue Reading
Spotify released analysis of the music preferences of home streamers — Spotify users who listen via WiFi speakers and other in-home connected devices. The company said the breakout could be helpful to marketers who connect target audiences to music genre preferences. Continue Reading
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The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Is Spotify positioning? Internet radio makes more money; DI.fm crosses over a fence; Google’s classical venture; Obama on a podcast Continue Reading
Ex-Netflix CFO Barry McCarthy has taken the same role in Spotify, we are learning today. McCarthy was at Netflix for 11 years, encompassing that company’s public offering in 2002. He also sits on Spotify’s board, and was involved in a venture investment in spotify in 2013. Continue Reading
Announced in January, launched in March, the alliance of Spotify and Sony PlayStation game consoles is due for an update. We got one today, with success metrics that show gaming as an important venue for streaming audio. Continue Reading
Sponsored by AudioBoom
The weekly update of the streaming audio industry, from RAIN News. THIS WEEK: Apple announces its new music service; Spotify hits back with growth story; 8tracks also on the move; Triton’s Webcast Metrics Continue Reading
Seven months after Taylor Swift withdrew her music from Spotify, and two days after Apple announced its subscription-only Apple Music service, Spotify has released a video which firmly defends the freemium model which offers free, ad-supported listening. The video is also remarkable for being the company’s most explicit and public-facing advocacy of free listening. Continue Reading