Article 13 Moves Forward As France, Germany Sign On

Article 13 is moving forward to full adoption after France and Germany signed on to a revised version. The on again off again controversial EU copyright directive legislation is set up-end the Safe Harbor protections on which YouTube and other popular user-generated platforms were created. Google, YouTube and others have…

Paid Streaming Will Surpass Free This Year [Survey]

Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and other paid music streaming services hare doing a better job of converting free users to paid, according to new figures from the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA). “Streaming has made it fashionable to pay for music again.” Already more males pay to stream music – 24.3%…

Foreign Stream-Ripping Site Beats Labels, For Now

In the long-running industry-led crusade against stream ripping and torrent sites, the labels have typically come out on top in most battles, with the offending sites usually getting shuttered as a result. Not this time, however, with a foreign stream-ripping site chalking up a win against labels on jurisdictional grounds….

Is It Possible That Radio Dodged The Digital Bullet?

With conventional broadcast radio now beset from all sides by streaming services, podcasts, and satellite, the future of this form of legacy entertainment is often brought into question, however some key signs suggest it may be weathering the digital storm better than expected. __________________________ Guest post by Fred Jacobs of…

Is It Possible That Radio Dodged The Digital Bullet?

With conventional broadcast radio now beset from all sides by streaming services, podcasts, and satellite, the future of this form of legacy entertainment is often brought into question, however some key signs suggest it may be weathering the digital storm better than expected. __________________________ Guest post by Fred Jacobs of…

R. Kelly Is Shopping New Album, But Who Will Release It?

R. Kelly is looking for a home for a new finished album, according to multiple sources. The controversial rapper was dropped by longtime label RCA/Sony recently, after multiple accounts of sexual abuse, including with minors. But who would risk the wrath of the #MuteRKelly movement and actually sign him? Opinions…

CD Baby, SACM Partner To Empower Independent Mexican Artists and Composers

CD Baby has partnered with SACM, Mexico’s only Performance Rights Organization. As part of the alliance, SACM has named CD Baby as their “preferred” distributor, and CD Baby will offer free submissions for SACM members to all digital music services. photo (l-r): Arturo Peěrez Courtade (SACM), Heli Del Moral (CD…

Making Free Pay: The New Data Battle Ground [Mark Mulligan]

From Spotify to Xbox Live and the New York Times, 2018 is the year that paid subscriptions took hold. But the nasty truth is that most consumers still won’t pay, as evidence by the100M who prefer Spotify’s free tier. "This means ad-supported strategies are going to play a growing role…

German Music Streaming Up 40% In 2018

Germany streaming music grew by over 40% in 2018 to an all-time record high of 79.5 billion, according to German music industry association Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI).While CD sales saw a 23% decline in the last year – a first for the format in the German music market – there was…

TOP POSTS: This Week’s Most Read Posts On Hypebot

This week, Hypebot’s most popular posts delved into Lil Uzi Vert’s quitting of music over issues with Atlantic Records, Spotify’s updates to its preferred distributor list, how to build a sustainable music career, and more! Rapper Lil Uzi Vert Says He’s Quitting Music Over Struggles With Atlantic Records Spotify Updates…