The latest update to the Spotify app was designed to "streamline" the user experience. But many users are unhappy with at least two of the changes, and some are even moving to other services. In the new app design, Spotify removed the alphabetical scroll bar and Recently Played tab, replacing…
Author archives: Bruce Houghton
Top MP3 Ripping Site Convert2MP3 Shut Down
Convert2MP3, one of the most used music steam ripping sites has been shut down. The Germany based stream site had more than 684 million visits over the past 12 months. Convert2MP3 has been hit by a legal action from the IFPI and Germany’s BVMI. Frances Moore, Chief Executive, IFPI, said…
Live Nation Adds Augmented Reality To Concert Experience
Live Nation has unveiled a suite of customizable augmented reality products aimed at creating more immersive ways for fans to connect with artists and brands at live music events. Live Nation roles out new suite of customizable AI products for fans at festivals. Courtesy of Live Nation "More than 90%…
FRI. BRIEF: #1 Stream Ripper Offline • Users React To Spotify Update • Streaming Code Of Conduct • More
FRIDAY 6.21.19
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PledgeMusic Board Issue Update: "Still pursuing a sale"
One month to the day after the PledgeMusic board issued a statement that the troubled crowdfunder was headed to administration, the UK equivalent of bankruptcy, the company’s board of directors issued a brief update. "PledgeMusic is still pursuing a sale (which if it happens is likely to be via an…
Spotify CEO Ek says Fans Could ‘Pay Artists Directly’ With Facebook’s Libra Cryptocurrency Can
Libra cryptocurrency would enable fans "to pay artists directly," according to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. Earlier this week, Spotify became a founding partner in the Facebook led Libra global cryptocurrency initiative. A primary goal of Libra is to bring digital transactions to the hundreds of millions who do not have…
Labels, Streamers, Publishers Pledge To Battle Streaming, But Major Players Fail To Sign On
Spotify, Amazon and Deezer have joined all three major labels and music publishers, the RIAA, the American Association of Independent Music, IMPALA, Merlin, The International Confederation of Music Publishers and other global music industry trade groups in signing code of conduct designed to battle streaming manipulation. MIssing from the list…
Anti-Stream Manipulation Code Of Best Practice [FULL TEXT]
A coalition of companies and organizations ranging from Spotify to UMG and representing many corners of the music industry have signed a new code of conducted designed to combat streaming manipulation. (more here). Here is the full text of the Anti-Stream Manipulation Code Of Best Practice . ______________________________ More: Labels,…
Grammys Finally Accept Streaming Links As Submissions
The Recording Academy will finally accept streaming links instead of physical product for award submissions in most categories. In a statement, the Academy also said, "For most categories, we would prefer streaming distribution links for online entry submissions, though CD submissions remain optional." The cost of submitting multiple physical copies…
UMG Fire Concerns Are ‘Just Noise,’ Says Vivendi Chair, As Music Group Sale Timetable Extended
Even as details emerge of a 2008 fire in a vault holding thousands of Universal Music Group recordings point to devastating destruction of historic masters, the chairperson of UMG corporate parent Vivendi is calling the concerns of artists and producers is "just noise." "It’s a credit to the leadership of…