YouTube giving artists financial backing, as long as they don’t criticize the company

YouTube has its fair share of critics, especially in the music industry. According to a new report from Bloomberg, it seems that YouTube may be trying to create leverage that will keep musicians from making negative comments about the video platform. The publication said it has learned that YouTube has offered a few musicians hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial backing to produce videos and billboard promotion, with the caveat that these performers won’t say negative things about the company. Continue Reading

Futuri Media launches ad network, expanding beyond tech products to sales

Futuri Media issued an announcement today which expands the company’s purview beyond the suite of software and technology products it has offered broadcasters for years. At the crux is a new product called the Futuri Ad Network, which promises “flexible and turnkey options for generating revenue with digital content.” Continue Reading

SoundExchange subsidiary launches database to help secure royalties for more rightsholders

SoundExchange subsidiary SXWorks announced the launch of a new service for music publishers and songwriters called the NOI Lookup. This searchable database contains all the address unknown Notice of Intention to Use filings made with the U.S. Copyright Office. These NOI filings are intended to inform a copyright owner of intent to distribute a musical composition. Continue Reading

Apple Music for Artists beta launches, the first analytics effort from the streaming service

Apple has introduced an analytics dashboard that offers insights into listener behavior within the tech company’s streaming music service. Apple Music for Artists is only available to a few thousand performers in the initial rollout. Feedback from these artists made result in tweaks or improvements to the system before its broad launch in spring. Continue Reading