Playster Signs With WMG, Sony, Orchard To Add Music To Multi-Channel Streaming Package, UMG Is Lone Holdout

[UPDATED] Playster, the so-called "Netflix of everything" has signed deals with several major music groups to add music to its monthly multi-channel streaming packages which also includes audiobook, games and movies. ____________________________________ Media streaming service Playster has announced streaming licensing deals with Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and The…

Playlists Have Passed Album Listenership, Says New Study

It’s no secret that how music is discovered and consumed is changing at a dizzying pace, thanks to streaming music. The latest proof is a survey that shows that listening to playlists have surpassed albums for the first time ever. Playlists have surpassed albums as a format for music listening…

Where The Music Business Stands Midway Through 2016 [RIAA Report]

Although it’s been about half a decade, the music business has, at long last, seen some appreciable growth in 2016, thanks largely to streaming. However, music continues to be undervalued, and the industry remains hobbled by outdated laws. ________________________ Guest post by Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO, RIAA For the…

2016: The #Yearofwireless – Apple’s AirPods, Sonos And More

Although much of the early commentary on the Apple AirPods were less than glowing, Tyler Hayes offers a different perspective, suggesting that these new AirPods represent the next evolution in wireless sound tech. ____________________________ Guest Post by Tyler Hayes on Medium A few years ago I thought that tiny earbuds,…

Samsung Milk Music Shuts Down Today, Users Encouraged To Transition To Slacker

Milk Music, the on again off again attempt by Samsung, one of the world’s biggest cell phone manufacturers to launch a music service, is shutting down today. One beneficiary of Milk’s demise is the often overlooked streamer Slacker. ____________________________________ Samsung Milk Music will officially shut down today. Because streamer Slacker…

Free Music Services Account For More Than 80% Of All U.S. Streaming

Free music services account for 80% of all streaming the in U.S., according to a new Music Watch survey. That’s bad news for rightsholders, since free services pay far less per stream than paid. But it’s also a reminder of how much room for growth there is for paid services…

Former UMG Exec: Major Label Music Should Cost More, Destroy DMCA Safe Harbors

In a recent bout of industry hypocrisy Paul Young, a former director of licensing for Universal Music Group has taken to the soap box denouncing the DMCA and the unfairness of streaming services, although his argument seems plagued with a lack of understanding regarding copyright and economics in general. ______________________________…

iHeartMedia Set To Launch 2 Paid Streaming Music Services

iHeartMedia, the parent company of broadcast and online giant iHeartRadio, is set to announce two paid streaming music services this week, according to multiple reports. While it will face stiff competition, the move is a logical brand extension; and given its reach, could find traction. __________________________________ Terrestrial radio behemoth iHeartMedia…

Tupac Sees Streaming Bump For Milestone Anniversary Of Death

On the 20th anniversary of the hip hop legend’s death, Tupac Shakur is seeing a massive bump in his streaming numbers, as well as a marked uptick in social media activity. ____________________________________ Guest post by Liv Buli of Next Big Sound A wall dedicated to the memory of US rapper…

Obama’s Hit Playlist And Using Music To Cope With Politics

Dealing with global events can be mentally and emotionally taxing for anyone, but particularly so when you’re the president of the United States. Here we look at Obama’s top playlists, and how music and general can help when dealing with stress. _____________________________ Guest Post by Charles Burchell on Soundfly’s Flypaper…