Hello! It’s a short week, so we’re drumming up an abbreviated - but no less sensational - digest of the finest Spotify news to hit the wires since the last terrific digest was published.

Wishing all of you a harvest of blessings, good health and good times. This time of year allows the perfect setting to reflect on all our blessings. Your support to this newsletter endeavor counts for so much. Thank you. Have a lovely holiday! 😀

★ SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify Unveils New Streaming Royalty Policies

As expected, Spotify unveiled its updated streaming payment policies for artists and labels on Tuesday morning, and they are essentially the ones that have been previously reported in recent weeks: efforts to cut down on fraudulent streams; increasing the minimum payable track length for what is called “noise” content (the often-cited “rain falling on a rooftop” recordings); and eliminating payment for songs with less than 1,000 streams.

⭐️ Spotify and Tuned Global reveal latest partnerships in Africa

“We are aware that data costs continue to be a hindrance for people who would like to stream music, that’s why we are actively working at Spotify SSA on partnerships like this one,” said Spotify’s MD for sub-Saharan Africa Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy.

⭐️ Spotify follows through on its threat to quit Uruguay

As parents, industry regulators and anyone whose mouth runs away with them in tense pub situations know, the trouble with making threats is that sometimes you have to go through with them. The latest example is Spotify and its service in Uruguay.

⭐️ Everything to Know About Spotify’s New Royalties Model: How Does It Work & Who Will It Impact?

Here's a full breakdown of the plan, based on Billboard's reporting, including streaming thresholds, fraud fees and minimum track lengths.

🗣 Podcasts 🗣

• Trevor Noah on Leaving ‘Daily Show’ and Launching Spotify Interview Podcast: ‘I’m Not Going to Create an Echo Chamber’

• A local Christian comedy podcast earns top spot on Spotify

▶️ Playlists ▶️

• Nobody Gets Me Quite Like My Spotify Daylist

🎧 Streams 🎧

• Spotify confirms it won't offer payouts for songs with fewer than 1,000 plays

🎼 Spotify 4 Artists 🎼

• Spotify says its upcoming royalty model changes will generate $1B for artists over five years

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• How to View 2023 Spotify Wrapped

• How to get more streams on Spotify without breaking the rules

🖌 Design 🖌

• How We Automated Content Marketing to Acquire Users at Scale

💰 Stock 💰

• This Free New Feature Makes Spotify Premium More Valuable

🔥 News 🔥

• Universal prevails in lawsuit alleging it owed artists $750m in Spotify royalties

• First teaser is out, so here is when Spotify Wrapped 2023 is coming

• Spotify Reaches Half of Australia

• Your Problem Isn't With the Streaming Model, Your Problem Is With Other Artists

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

Dominique's Discotheque Sarah Vaughan

Here Come Those Heartaches Again Merry Clayton

Half Acre Hem

Killing Smile Death In Vegas

Charm School Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Snowflake Bombardier Phil Everly

That's How Strong My Love Is - Remastered 2002 The Rolling Stones

Bring On The Night - Remastered 2003 The Police

Let It Whip Dazz Band

Love Fire Simply Red

November Tom Waits

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me at jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀