Pandora, Spotify Podcast Moves Good New For Musicians and Record Labels

[UPDATED] This week, Pandora announced the Podcast Genome Project, a cataloging system and discovery algorithm that uses a combination of technology and human curation to deliver personalized podcast recommendations. Spotify and Apple Music have both stepped up their podcast game, as well, by improving their search and discovery options. “It…

Did Spotify Just Signal An Investment In The Orchard?

Did Spotify just share a big hint that is is investing in The Orchard? Days before the streamer announced an investment and partnership with DistroKid, it prominently featured the DIY distributor as the only logo on a page announcing its Spotify Preferred Distributor program. Now a logo for The Orchard…

NetEase Cloud Music Raises $600M As Users Jump 200M In 12 Months To 600M

NetEase Cloud Music has completed a $600 million funding round to take on Spotify partner Tencent Music in China and Asia’s exploding streaming music market. NetEase boasts 600 million registered users, adding 200 million over the last twelve months. Launched in April 2013, NetEase Cloud Music has one of China’s…

Festicket Raises Another $ 10.5 Million

Festicket , the music festival travel and experiences platform has raised a $ 10.5 million D-Series financing round led by venture capital firm Beringea plus InMotion Ventures, Channel 4’s Commercial Growth Fund, Lepe Partners, U-Start and former Spinnin ‘Records CEO Eelko Van Kooten. Prior to this Series D round, Festicket…

WED. BRIEF: Billboard Live Summit • NetEase Music Adds $600M • Festicket Raises $10.5M • audiobridge To Nashville • More

WEDNESDAY 11.14.18
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Spotify Officially Launches In Middle East, North Africa

As anticipated, Spotify has launched in 13 new markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories and Egypt. That brings Spotify’s total markets to 78 including neighboring Israel , which launched in…

Spotify Stock Hits All Time Low After Analysts Downgrade

Spotify stock fell 4.89% on Monday, closing the day at $131.13. That leaves the streamer with a market cap of just under $24 billion. At one point in the day, the stock fell to an all time low of $126.75. Spotify’s downturn continued on a day of turmoil in the…

TUE. BRIEF: Spotify Stock Hits Low • Digital Power Players • Kane Brown Sets Apple Music Record • More

TUESDAY 11.13.18
Music Business News From Around The Web
Updated continuously under the More News tab

Facebook’s Musical.ly/TikTok Clone Lasso Quietly Launches

Facebook has been working on a Musical.ly competitor for months.  Now, it’s ready. The app is called Lasso, and it was first reported to be in development back in October.  Today, the head of the Facebook Lasso announced its launch. Today, my team laun…

On Spotify, A Follow Is More Powerful Than A Pre-Save

There are many options to promote music on Spotify, and while they all have their pros and cons, some strategies are more effective than others. CD Baby’s Chris Robley illustrates why artists should focus on follows rather than pre-saves. ________________________ By Chris Robley of CD Baby from their DIY Musician…