SoundCloud Expands Sony/ATV Deal To Europe, In Effort To Launch SoundCloud Go Globally

SoundCloud wants to take its GO paid subscription service global; and a new deal with Sony/ATV, who has had a deal with SoundCloud in the US since the 2014 launch of its monetization efforts, extends the partnership to Europe. __________________________________ Top music publisher Sony/ATV today announced a direct deal with…

Streaming Is More Than A Wave – It’s Now the Sea In Which the Music Business Swims

Like it or not, streaming is quickly becoming the dominant means through which consumers listen to music, and while many frequently dismiss streaming for its failure to pay artists the proper royalties which they are owed, it has become the largest money-maker for the American music industry. __________________________________ Guest Post…

The Launch Of SoundCloud Go Leaves Unanswered Questions

In an attempt to throw their hat in the already rather full on-demand streaming ring, SoundCloud has launched the service SoundCloud Go and, although the service has interesting potential, there remain several unanswered questions regarding things like how artists will get paid, or how royalties are being calculated. _____________________________ Guest…

20 Members Of US Congress Share Their Spotify Playlists

Music is the great connector. It brings people together in ways that nothing else can. While I have no illusions that songs can bring together our elected representatives in today’s absurdly hyper-partisan climate, the Spotify playlists of some of top members of the US Congress reveal a common love of…

3 Subscription Models For Indie Artists

While our idea of a subscription service may be limited to things like Spotify or Netflix, there are several other options out there for ways in which artists can create a recurring revenue stream in exchange for offering their fans new and valuable content on a regular basis. ____________________________ Guest…

Beatles Bigger Hit On Spotify Than Current Artists

Some recent stats from Spotify reveal that the Fab Four have still got it. In their first hundred days on the streaming service, The Beatles have netted a greater number of plays than more contemporary artists, even among listeners under 35. ______________________________ Guest Post by Bobby Owsinski on Music 3.0…

Why We Need Pirate Radio For The Twenty-First Century

While streaming services do offer infinite variety and customization, the product remains essentially the same across platforms, and lacks the personal touch of a radio DJ. So then don’t these services integrate a live hosting feature? ______________________________ Guest post by Thomas McAlevey, CEO of Radical.fm At the end of the…

SoundCloud Integrates With Twitter Moments, Audio Cards

Now that SoundCloud has launched its long anticipated paid streaming music service, we expect to see a flood of innovation as it rushes to find its place in a crowded marketplace. First up, a more direct audio integration with Twitter. _____________________________________ SoundCloud today announced an integration with Twitter Moments via…

Sony Sues Rdio Execs Over Fraud: A Cautionary Tale

Here we scrutinize the goings-on within the music industry which led to Sony’s recent lawsuit against Rdio’s three executives, giving both streamers and licensors an idea of what to watch out for when navigating the music industry’s choppy legal waters. _________________________________ Guest Post by Chris Castle on Music Tech Solutions…

Major Labels Ratchet Up Anti-YouTube Rhetoric As The Begin Difficult Renegotiations

The RIAA and the labels it represents have been ratcheting up their anti-YouTube rhetoric, calling out the popular service for paying "meager" royalties. Never mind that these same labels where the ones who agreed to these terms a few years ago. But now, they seem intent on righting their own…