Apple Deleting iTunes LP Format: Beginning Of The End?

Apple is deleting the iTunes LP format. The news was shared with labels and distributors two weeks ago; and now an email to iTunes’ music partners has surfaced that states clearly, "Apple will no longer accept new submissions of iTunes LPS after March 2018." ______________________________ Apple is killing the iTunes…

CD Baby Paid Indie Artists $80M In 2017, Up 33%

As part of its 20th Anniversary celebration, CD Baby shared stats showing substantial growth. In 2017, CD Baby paid their indie clients $80 million, up 33% from the previous year. The bulk of the income for CD Baby distributed artists came from three sources last year: Spotify (35%), iTunes (24%)…

Red Ink Beneath Streaming’s “New Dawn” [Marc Ribot]

Legendary guitarist Marc Ribot explores the impact of ECM Records move to Spotify as part of broader shift for the label, the effect it will have on artists, and what the next best course of action is. ______________________________ By Marc Ribot from The Trichordist Guest Post from the legendary guitarist…

UMG Says Artists Will Profit From Spotify Stock Sale, But What Does That Mean?

After months of silence, Universal Music Group has joined Sony and Warners in pledging to share proceeds from the upcoming public sale of Spotify stock with the artists signed to its labels. But the announcement came without details as to how much of the profit will be shared or how…

iHeartMedia Bankruptcy Delayed 2 Days, $15B Debt Erased

Creditors gave iHeartMedia a bit more time to work out an orderly bankruptcy plan. America’s largest broadcast radio owner has until 11:59 PM Wednesday to agree with creditors on a reorganization plan, according to documents filed Monday. A new proposal filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Monday would reduce…

50% Of UK Music Consumption 2017 Was Streaming, 4M Vinyl Records Sold

Stats released by UK label association BPI, based on Official Charts Company data, showed a strong year for recorded music, with consumption across all formats in 2017, growing at its fastest rate in decades. A total of 135.1 million albums or their equivalent were either streamed, purchased on physical format,…

Spotify Threatens Hacked App Users With Suspension As Practice Spreads

There are no stats as to how many of Spotify’s 159 million active users are accessing the music streamer with a hacked app or account. But judging from forum comments, its not a small problem. As it prepares for its first public stock offering, Spotify is moving aggressively to curb…

iHeartMedia To Declare Bankruptcy As Early As Today

iHeartMedia is preparing to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy as early as Monday, according to multiple sources. iHeart owns 855 radio stations in the US, as well as, multiple popular streaming channels. ______________________________________ The fall of iHeartMedia began in 2008 when private equity firms Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners…

Spotify China Partner Tencent Music’s Global Ambitions

Tencent Music, the streaming arm of Chinese internet giant Tencent has made a series of investments, deals and partnerships that caught the eye of industry analyst Mark Mulligan of MIDiA. ____________________________ By Mark Mulligan of MIDiA and the Music Industry Blog Tencent is building a global streaming empire. Back in…

Spotify Television Turns Playlists Into YouTube Stream

Spotify Television is a web app that turns Spotify playlists into a stream of YouTube videos. In our test, the app worked well and felt like watching a personalized version of MTV from back in they day when the channel still played videos. Currently in beta, you can check out…