Spotify Names Another ‘Recommended Label Distributor’ — Absolute Label Services

Spotify for Artists has quietly added a recommend label distributor. Last October, Spotify made a surprising move into the digital distribution business.  Apple Music soon followed close behind. The streaming music giant had quietly selected 5 preferre…

Facebook Signs Deals with Rightsholders in India and Thailand — And Adds ‘Tap Through to Spotify’ Functionality

Facebook is signing new deals around the world — and steadily building out its music functionality. As SXSW, Facebook made a slew of announcements. First, the social media giant has signed new licensing deals with major labels in Asian countries, speci…

After Spotify’s $230 Million Acquisition, Gimlet Media Staffers Move to Unionize

Just one month after Spotify acquired podcast platform Gimlet Media for a reported $230 million, the company’s employees have announced their intention to unionize. We’ve heard of serious problems happening after major acquisitions.  But this one is a …

YouTube Music Introduces Its First ‘Artist on the Rise’ for 2019

YouTube Music wants some serious artist success stories. Last year, YouTube Music introduced its ‘Artist on the Rise’ series.  The plan was to create an exclusive behind the scenes look at the journey each ‘YouTube artist’ takes as they first get start…

Spotify Files Antitrust Complaint Against Apple at the EU over 30% Tax

According to Spotify, Apple unfairly stifles creativity and innovation.  But, with the streaming music giant’s refusal to accept a royalty increase for songwriters, isn’t Daniel Ek’s company basically doing the same thing? In the United States, Spotify…

YouTube Music Launches in the Already-Saturated Indian Music Market

Will YouTube Music find success in India? Several weeks ago, amidst its major legal spat with Warner Music Group, Spotify finally launched in India. Then, less than a week later, the streaming music giant confirmed it had signed up 1 million paid and f…

TIDAL Unveils MQA Streaming for Hi-Fi Subscribers on iOS

With MQA now available for TIDAL Hi-Fi subscribers on iOS, will more people sign-up for Jay-Z’s beleaguered streaming music service? Several years ago, Jay-Z’s streaming music service, TIDAL, promised supra-CD streaming quality.  The company then quiet…

Spotify Premium Now Bundles Hulu Subscriptions for Free in the US

Will Spotify’s new Hulu bundle help the streaming music giant increase its subscriber base in the US? Two years ago, in an effort to catch-up to Amazon and Netflix, Spotify introduced a new bundle. For just $4.99 a month, university students who signed…

Spotify Says They’re ‘Not Suing Songwriters’ — Here’s Their Full Statement to the Music Industry

Spotify is now responding to accusations of ‘suing songwriters’ and ‘declaring war’ against content creators. Last week, Spotify — along with Amazon, Google, and Pandora — started the process of appealing a Copyright Royalty Board ruling that would ult…

Apple Music Is Creating Customized ‘Album Artwork’ for Thousands of Playlists

Apple reached out to several high-profile designers of album art, from the creator of the AC/DC logo to the designer of Migos’ album, Culture. Rachel Newman, Apple’s global director of editorial, says the new artwork is meant to connect directly with t…