Global on-demand music streams up 15.1% in first half of 2024

The headline stat: 2.29 trillion. That’s how many on-demand audio streams there were globally in the first six months of 2024, up 15.1% from the same period last year. The report zeroes in on North America for other stats, reporting that US on-demand audio streams were up 8% in the first half of this year to 665.8bn.

Sprite leans into AI remixes for music platform’s return

For Sprite Limelight’s return, music fans can create tracks using a common hook via the Soundlabs remix tool available in Coca-Cola’s app.

YouTube Confirms Testing of AI Radio & Hum to Search

The company is introducing an AI-generated radio feature and a Shazam-like tool that identifies songs by singing, humming, or playing parts of them. This feature is currently available to a select group of Premium users in the United States and allows users to create custom radio stations by simply describing their musical preferences.

Beyond Four Instruments: AudioStrip's Quest for Perfect Source Separation

Basil Woods and George Spooner Share Insights on the Challenges and Innovations in High-Quality Stem Separation Beyond Four Stems.

Crafting Community Through Music Tourism

The CEO of TouchTunes breaks down how the new American Music Tourism Act of 2024 aims to rebuild community bonds by crafting community through music tourism.

Audio advertising: What podcasts can learn from radio

Radio has been the dominant audio format for a century — and arguably, it still is. According to MIDiA’s Q1 2024 Consumer Survey, 49% of respondents in all tracked markets (excluding China) say they listen to radio weekly. That is higher than music streaming (44%) and podcasts and audiobooks combined (33%). Radio is still on the decline year on year, but the state of the industry is not yet dire. 

Ircam Amplify Unveils Tool to Identify AI-Generated Tracks

Ircam Amplify's new tool claims it can screen up to 5,000 tracks in under a minute with a 98.5% accuracy rate in identifying AI-generated music. As hundreds of thousands of AI-created music files flood platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music daily, this technology arrives just in time.

A world first in music distribution

Revelator Labs partners with Alon Lotringer and Folly Tree on music distribution world first. I Go To Sleep becomes the first cover song with the license stored onchain, having been purchased via Easy Song.

Music artists, TV shows, and film are best positioned brand categories for in-game item activations

Accounting for 67% of global games software revenue in 2023, in-game spending plays a crucial role in monetising gamers. Over the years, cosmetic in-game spending (which does not grant advantages or progress in-game) has gained importance, especially among younger consumers. Younger gamers are growing up in an era where digital cosmetics items play an important role in defining their image.

From Kraftwerk to AI – Berlin’s love affair with music technology

Like zuckerguss on a zimtschnecken, Berlin and electronic music are perfect companions. For decades, the city has been synonymous with multi-day raves, synth savants, and software start-ups.

📧 Send story ideas & feedback to: jeff@platformandstream.com

️💥 Interested in sponsoring the newsletter? You'll find all the details here.​

😃 Have a Nice Day!