MIDiA Research has released a report on YouTube and the video platform’s impact on the music economy. With YouTube commanding a massive audience, but still drawing criticism and skepticism from artists and labels, the report adds much-needed data to explain the service’s role. “Safe Harbour-enabled UGC is no longer the threat it once was, with just 2% of music video views from unofficial uploads,” it says. Continue Reading
YouTube has released a series of new video ads for its music app. The spots focus on statements of identity, with the tag line: “It’s not just what we listen to. It’s who we are.” Some of them explicitly portray people who are part of groups that have historically faced discrimination or prejudice. Continue Reading
Google piracy report 2016 music has released its annual piracy report. The analysis highlights YouTube’s role both with the still-growing creator community and to the music industry. It is also well-timed as a response to the label and artist critiques that YouTube doesn’t do enough for the industry. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Unsung streaming leaders land on Power Players list; a pro-YouTube piece from Financial Times; for the ultimate hipster, SoundCloud-to-vinyl pressings. Continue Reading
Several YouTube leaders offered views of the company’s next steps at VidCon, a convention for the industry, creators, and fans of online video. Those steps will include investments in mobile livestreaming and expanded content offerings. Continue Reading
The barrage of open letters haranguing YouTube and its purported value gap are coming fast and furious. The International Artist Organization has penned a missive to the European Commission, adding its voice to the calls for changes in how free online services manage use of copyrighted material. Continue Reading
A new open letter is circulating from the music industry attacking YouTube’s use of safe harbors under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This one is spearheaded by Irving Azoff, and it includes signatures from heavy hitters including Taylor Swift and U2. Continue Reading
Here’s a collection of some noteworthy developments emerging from Cannes, where the music industry has descended for the Midem conference. The opening keynote for the event gathered several industry leaders to talk about the future of the music business. TuneCore CEO Scott Ackerman also gave a talk and the Worldwide Independent Network released a report. Continue Reading
In its April rankings, comScore found a strong month for Pandora. The online radio platform ranked No. 23 in the list of the top 50 multiplatform properties with nearly 85.3 million unique visitors. Pandora also made the list of top 15 smartphone apps. Continue Reading
Continued heat is being applied to Google, YouTube, and — on a deeper level — to the Safe Harbor provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Jonathan Taplin is a music and film producer, inventor, entrepreneur, media executive, and scholar. He put an OpEd in the New York Times in which he said that Google’s YouTube resembles a protection racket. He also wants AM/FM to start paying artist/label royalties, and exemption he terms “the original sin.” Continue Reading
YouTube Red has launched in Australia. The paid, ad-free combination music and video subscription is now available to Aussie listeners for AU$11.99. Australia was announced as the second market for the platform back in February. Continue Reading
YouTube has reportedly implemented a new approach to its digital supply chain that could help improve rights management. YouTube, the world’s largest distributor of music, has been criticized recently for its operating model which permits user uploads of tracks and albums, and responds in different ways to take-down requests from rights-holders. Continue Reading