Apple is set to announce the end of iTunes today. Ironically, the company unveiled a new iPod Touch last week, the newest iteration of the hardware that made it so easy to put a whopping 1000 iTunes tracks in your pocket. During Tim Cook’s keynote at its annual Worldwide Developers…
Author archives: Bruce Houghton
MON. BRIEF: Apple To Kill iTunes • Stem Shifts Gears • Napster Turns 20 • Austin Daboh Exits Spotify • More
MONDAY 6.3.19
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17 Million US ‘Fans’ Ripped Music Last Year, UP 13%
Despite the ongoing efforts of the RIAA and others, music piracy is far from dead. For most – and there numbers are growing – stream ripping is the piracy platform of choice. By Russ Crupnick of MusicWatch We are nearly a generation past the time when consumers bought stand-alone burners…
UnitedMasters Names Instagram Exec To Lead Next Gen Indie Music Company
Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood, former Head of Music Partnerships at Instagram, has been appointed the first ever President of Brooklyn-based indie music startup UnitedMasters. In this new role, Wirtzer-Seawood will guide UnitedMasters toward its goal of operationalizing independence and enabling musicians to augment their creative and economic potential. A 20-year music industry…
Endeavor IPO Takeaways: Not Your Average Booking Agency
The 387-page IPO filing that Endeavor presented to the SEC included some usually hidden information regarding the operations of Endeavor’s properties, including WME and the pay packages of its CEO and executive chairman, Ari Emanual and Patrick Whitesell. Much of the financial information needed to be revealed to make Endeavor’s…
Spotify Tests Social Listening
Spotify is testng a new feature that enables users to collaborate with friends and listen to music together. Tentatively called Called Social Listening, the feature allows a users to control a friends music so everyone could listen together. Users must scan a unique code or link to listen to the…
FRI. BRIEF: Stream Ripping Rises – Spotify Tests Social Listening – News R. Kelly Charges – More
FRIDAY 5.31.19
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BUSINESS OF INDIE: Beggars Expands in US • Oh Boy Signs Waldon • Daptone’s 100th • Verve Promotes • More
In this week’s Business Of Indie, Beggars Music Group expands US operations, John Prines Oh Boy Records signs Kelsey Waldon. Daptone releases 100th 45, Verve label group promotes execs and more. Like Hypebot’s More News section, The Business Of Indie is nestled under its own Indie tab at the top…
American Airlines Ends Music Equipment Oversized Bag Fees
American Airlines has eliminated oversize bag fees for "common sports and music equipment." The updated policy "will be music to the ears of musicians who fly on American," says the airline. Customers can now check music equipment and sports gear as standard baggage, up to the maximum allowed dimensions and…
THU. BRIEF: Prince Gets TIDAL Treatment • Musicians Union Pension Crisis • Orchard Inks Third Man • More
THURSDAY 5.30.19
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