Author archives: Bruce Houghton

Skip Rates: Why The First 30 Seconds Matter More Than Ever

With the album on the wane and attention spans shorter than ever, the first 30 seconds of of a song matter more than. Not only do they need to capture the listener’s attention, but in streaming, they determine if the songwriter is going to get paid at all. Skip rates…

Spotify Bites Back, Calls Apple Monopolistic [Full Text Of Statement]

UPDATED: The war of words between Spotify and Apple shows no signs of abating, with the streamer issuing its latest rebuttal calling out Cupertino as "monopolistic." In a statement, Spotify said that "Apple’s response to our complaint before the European Commission is not new and is entirely in line with…

MON. BRIEF: Will Google By Universal Music? • Spotify Goes On Offensive • SXSW Recap • More

MONDAY 3.18.19
Music Business News From Around The Web
Updated continuously under the More News tab

Jaxsta Adds Warner Music To Global Music Metadata Platform

Warner Music Group has granted music metadata platform Jaxsta permission to tap into its massive song and recording database.The deal marks Jaxsta’s 28th licencing data agreement in the last 18 months, including The Recording Academy and Sony Music Entertainment. With the evolution of digital music, fans lost the ‘jacket’ and…

Africa’s Boomplay Inks WMG Licensing Deal

African streaming and download service Boomplay has inked a direct licensing agreement with Warner Music to bring the company’s global music roster to millions of music fans across the continent. The deal will see Boomplay distributing Warner Music’s extensive catalog of more than one million songs to listeners in countries…

How To Pretend You’re At SXSW 2019 Edition plus The Official #SXSW 2019 Playlist

SXSW 2019 is in full swing, but perhaps you blew your conference and travel budget donating funds to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood or your local Premium Tequila Society. Or maybe the chaise lounge at your Austin hotel pool is so damn comfortable that you can’t bear the thought of waiting…

Lou Pearlman and ‘The Boy Band Con’ – A Look Inside One Of The Music’s Darkest Corners [VIDEO]

A new looks into a dark corner of the music industry and he late boy band producer Lou Pearlman. The documentary, ‘The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story’ which premiered at SXSW this week, was produced for YouTube Originals by Lance Bass, a singer in one of Pearlman’s most…

Full Text Of Apple’s Statement Blasting Spotify With All The Nasty Bits Highlighted

Apple Music has gone on the offensive with an uncharacteristically strong statement "Addressing Spotify’s claims," after the streamer filed a complaint with the European Commission over Apple App Store fees and practices.To make sure you that you don’ t miss the many nasty parts, we’ve added some highlights. _______________________________________ From…

Apple Attacks Spotify For ‘Trying To Squeeze Musicians, Songwriters’ As App Dispute Escalates

UPDATED: Apple has attacked Spotify for "making ever-smaller contributions to the artists, musicians and songwriters – even going so far as to take these creators to court." in an escalating battle that began over app store fees and practices. In a lengthy and strongly worded statement, Apple pushed back after…