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…

Songs Are Getting Shorter and Streaming Is To Blame

Songs are getting shorter. The average length of a song on the Billboard Hot 100 fell from 3 minutes and 50 seconds to about 3 minutes and 30 seconds between 2013 and 2018. 6% percent of Hot 100 songs were 2 minutes 30 seconds or shorter in 2018, up from…

Importance Of Putting Out A Single First, Even In 2019

In this piece, Chris Robley explains why it’s essential for new artists getting their start in the industry to release a standalone single before diving headfirst into dropping a full album or event EP. _____________________ By Chris Robley of CD Baby from the DIY Musician blog If you’ve never released…

Verizon Wireless Adds Free Apple Music, Adding Millions Of Subscribers To Streamer

Verizon has added free Apple Music subscriptions to several of its Unlimited wireless data plans. The carrier had been offering 6 months or free Apple Music, but the move to permanent subscriptions potentially adds millions of subscribers to Apple Music. Starting Thursday Starting January 17, Apple Music will be included…

Why Apple’s profit warning could put music and video center stage at the company

Apple’s Services division is becoming increasingly important for the US corporation, says MIDiA’s Mark Mulligan
The post Why Apple’s profit warning could put music and video center stage at the company appeared first on Music Business Worldwide.

Nielsen Music 2018 Report: On-Demand Streams Up 49%

Nielsen Music has released it 2018 Year-End Highlights. The survey shows a year of significant overall industry growth, with total album equivalent audio consumption up 23% over 2017, driven by a 49% increase in on-demand audio song streams compared to 2017. A similar analysis of 2018 stats by BuzzAngle Music…

How Music and Video Will Rescue Apple [Mark Mulligan]

Music saved Apple’s business back in 2003 when a new iTunes Music Store boosted iPod sales and the entire company, paving the way for the greatest ever period in Apples history. As Apple stock struggles, MIDiA’s Mark Mulligan sees a repeat performance coming with music, along with video and maybe…