[UPDATED] This week, Pandora announced the Podcast Genome Project, a cataloging system and discovery algorithm that uses a combination of technology and human curation to deliver personalized podcast recommendations. Spotify and Apple Music have both stepped up their podcast game, as well, by improving their search and discovery options. “It…
Author archives: Bruce Houghton
Did Spotify Just Signal An Investment In The Orchard?
Did Spotify just share a big hint that is is investing in The Orchard? Days before the streamer announced an investment and partnership with DistroKid, it prominently featured the DIY distributor as the only logo on a page announcing its Spotify Preferred Distributor program. Now a logo for The Orchard…
NetEase Cloud Music Raises $600M As Users Jump 200M In 12 Months To 600M
NetEase Cloud Music has completed a $600 million funding round to take on Spotify partner Tencent Music in China and Asia’s exploding streaming music market. NetEase boasts 600 million registered users, adding 200 million over the last twelve months. Launched in April 2013, NetEase Cloud Music has one of China’s…
Festicket Raises Another $ 10.5 Million
Festicket , the music festival travel and experiences platform has raised a $ 10.5 million D-Series financing round led by venture capital firm Beringea plus InMotion Ventures, Channel 4’s Commercial Growth Fund, Lepe Partners, U-Start and former Spinnin ‘Records CEO Eelko Van Kooten. Prior to this Series D round, Festicket…
iHeartMedia Announces Post-Bankruptcy Board of Directors
iHeartMedia has named the members selected to serve on its Board of Directors upon its emergence from Chapter 11. The current board will remain in place until the company emerges from bankruptcy. i Heart is the largest broadcast radio group in the U.S< and a major player in online radio…
Prince Estate Awarded $4M Judgment Over EP Release
Producer George Ian Boxill has reportedly been ordered to pay nearly $4 million to the estate of Prince for releasing songs after his death without permission. Boxill was ordered to pay the estate $3,960,287.65 for damages, costs and attorney’s fees, according to court documents obtained by The Blast and was…
WED. BRIEF: Billboard Live Summit • NetEase Music Adds $600M • Festicket Raises $10.5M • audiobridge To Nashville • More
WEDNESDAY 11.14.18
Music Business News From Around The Web
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Spotify Officially Launches In Middle East, North Africa
As anticipated, Spotify has launched in 13 new markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories and Egypt. That brings Spotify’s total markets to 78 including neighboring Israel , which launched in…
YouTube Music Charts 11.2-8.18: Ariana Grande Is #1, Linkin Park Passes 1B Views
On the YouTube Music Charts this week, Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” reached #1 on the US Top Songs Chart, Linkin Park’s “Numb” crosses 1 billion views, and Queen continues up charts again following the release of their biopic Highlights – Linkin Park’s official music video for “Numb” hit 1B…
Spotify, SoundGirls Launch ‘EQL Directory’ Global Database Of Women In Audio, Music Production
Spotify and Soundgirls have partnered to launch The EQL Directory , global database of women working behind the scenes in music and audio. Any woman can add their name and those looking to hire a more inclusive creative team can find professionals in their area. The EQL Directory also includes…