Shazam has launched a new augmented reality platform for its brand partners, artists, and users. With this tool, unique Shazam Codes on real-life objects can be viewed with the app on a smartphone to unlock additional content. The codes can reveal anything from 3D animations to product visualizations, mini-games to 360-degree videos. Continue Reading
CD Baby announced that it now has 100,000 songwriters under its publishing administration service. In addition to that statistic, CD Baby Publishing is also planning a big expansion effort for this year. Continue Reading
This week, songwriters, composers, and publishers will begin lobbying the Copyright Royalty Board for larger royalty fees from streaming services. The hearing for songwriters and their professional organizations is set to start today. The CRB will be reviewing proposals from several parties as it works to determine the royalty rates paid for interactive streams over the 2018-2022 period. Continue Reading
Spotify has acquired a UK startup, further growing its behind-the-scenes tech capabilities. Sonalytic, which was just founded in April 2016, specializes in audio detection. No financial details were disclosed. Continue Reading
Google Play is the latest digital music platform to hop on the bandwagon of original podcasts. The show is called City Soundtracks. Each of the short episodes features an interview with a musician about the impact of their hometown on their work. Continue Reading
Music service Napster sent us a note that it has been added to the OpenCar platform developed by INRIX. INRIX is a U.S.-based software and services company that develops connectivity products for car makers. Napster is one of several audio services that have been incorporated into OpenCar, which is part of a services suite marketed in 50 countries. Continue Reading
The latest development in the unfolding legal story between Sirius XM and Flo & Eddie is about the background paperwork. Music Reports has been chosen as the royalty administrator for a ten-year license for the satellite radio company’s use of Flo & Eddie’s recording catalog and other recordings from prior to 1972. Continue Reading
Spotify appears to be testing the hi-fi audio waters. Some users of the streaming service appear to have been chosen to test a version of Spotify’s premium features coupled with lossless, CD-quality audio. According to screenshots of the A/B testing for Spotify Hi-Fi, the potential upgrade could add between $5 and $10 a month to the existing monthly cost. Continue Reading
France posted 5.4% growth for its recorded music market to reach revenue of €449.56 million in 2016, according to industry body SNEP. Combined subscription and ad-supported streaming was the second-largest source of revenue with a 37% increase on-year. Continue Reading
MIDiA Research is always a source of interesting data and analysis for the music industry, and its assessment of the global recorded music revenue in 2016 is no exception. In two recent blog posts, the company explored both the overall performance of the music industry and the shares of that performance secured by each of the major labels. Continue Reading
Social audio app Anchor has released a long-awaited version 2.0 of its app, in which the push-and-pull between radio (listening) and social (creating) is slanted decidedly to radio. To some extent, the audio creation/listening app is following in the footsteps of SoundCloud. Continue Reading
Former Triton Digital COO (and co-founder) Mike Agovino has partnered with talent management entrepreneur Paul Anderson to launch Workhouse Connect, a self-described “influence marketing company.” Workhouse Connect is positioned as a sister company to Workhouse Media and Workhouse Creative, both started by Anderson. Continue Reading