Jimmy Iovine and Doctor Dre became billionaires when Apple bought Beats in 2014, paying $3 billion – $2.6 billion in cash and $400 million in stock. In August, when that stock vests and their employment contracts end, the pair are poised to net more than $700 million, thanks to growth…
Category archives: streaming
iHeartRadio Passes 110 Million Registered Users, Unveils Updates At CES
iHeartRadio has surpassed 110 million registered users. That’s up 10 million from March of last year and on top of the 250 million that tune in to their 850 broadcast stations in 150 markets across the country. As iHeartRadio hits the massive Consumer Electronics Show this week, the service can…
Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Eventbrite Go To Court To Protect Net Neutrality
The more than 50 members of the Internet Association which include Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Eventbrite, Netflix, Twitter, Microsoft, Snap and others has pledged to lead legal action to stop the FCC’s recent rule changes that effectively gut net neutrality. ___________________________ Internet Association President & CEO Michael Beckerman issued…
Soundcloud Denies Downgrading Audio Quality
After multiple Soundcloud users complained online about an unwanted downgrading from 128 kbps MP3 to 64 kbps Opus when using the streaming platform, the company issued an explanation. Soundcloud recently changed their streaming format from 128kbps MP3 to 64kbps Opus. This drastically reduces the audio quality and can introduce strange…
7 Predictions For The Music Business In 2018
Bobby Owsinski looks into his crystal ball to predict 7 major happenings in the music industry for the coming year, as changes like the loss of net neutrality and the rise of streaming impact music. ______________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0 2017 is now in the books…
Spotify Chief Content Officer Stefan Blom Exits
Spotify’s Chief Content Officer, Stefan Blom, is leaving the music streamer, the company confirms. Along with Kevin Brown, Blom is the second top Spotify executive to leave the company over the last few weeks, as it finalizes plans for an IPO while fighting a $1.6 billion lawsuit, alongside several smaller…
YouTube’s Lyor Cohen Says He’ll Make You "Rich & Famous"
YouTube’s often controversial Head Of Music Lyor Cohen says in a profile for AdAge that he’s developed a simple sales pitch for meetings with artists, managers and labels executives skeptical of the music streamer: "We’re going to make you rich and famous." It’s the kind of bold claim that Cohen,…
How The Wixen Lawsuit Impacts Spotify’s Upcoming Public Stock Offering
Since Wixen Music Publishing filed its $1.6 billion lawsuit against Spotify, speculation has run rampant as to how this and other court actions would hurt Spotify’s nearing IPO. Spotify isn’t commenting, but industry analyst Mark Mulligan has taken a look at all we know and come to some interesting and…
Grime Is Now An Official Category On Spotify
Grime, a popular musical genre that did not exist prior to 2002, is now an official category on Spotify. The addition of Grime makes it easier for fans of the genre to find playlists and music on the streamer. The announcement came in two tweets from Senior Spotify Programmer Austin…
Jimmy Iovine To Exit Apple In August, 4 Years After The $3 Billion Beats Deal
Jimmy Iovine will leave Apple in August, according to multiple sources. The exit comes just months past four years after Apple bought the Iovine and Dr. Dre led Beats headphone manufacturer and streaming music service; and is likely timed to match the full vetting of his stock options and Apple…