Spotify Wrapped, TikTok—Maybe the Algorithms Are Losing Touch

Once an internet cause célèbre, this year lots of folks turned cold on Spotify Wrapped. TikTok’s year in review also felt unsurprising. Maybe our platforms know less about us than we think.

Symphonic Distribution Teams with Masterchannel to Offer AI Music Mastering Tool to Independent Artists

Artists can upload as many tracks as they like and receive unlimited free full-length master previews.

Sony Music pulls catalog from Africa-focused music streaming service Boomplay

Sources tell MBW that concerns have been growing at other rightsholders over late royalty payments from the platform.

Inside Sony Music Publishing’s flagship creative hub for songwriters in Los Angeles

Located in Hollywood’s historic media district and just minutes away from the iconic vinyl district, SMP says that the flagship location is “a testament to SMP’s commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration”.

Virgin Music Group strikes global distro deal with India’s Hungama Digital Media

The collaboration aims to leverage Hungama's entertainment network and Virgin's global distribution to create opportunities for Indian artists worldwide.

Rosé from Blackpink gets TikTok in-app experience for solo album

TikTok’s latest artist partnership is with Rosé from K-Pop stars Blackpink, and it focuses on the release of her solo album ‘Rosie’.

Salt aims to speed up collections from video

Rights and royalties firm Salt has unveiled its latest expansion, and it’s all about VOD. The company wants to help collecting societies collect royalties from video-streaming services like Netflix and Apple TV+ faster and more accurately.

Appeals court rejects last-ditch attempt at reviving copyright case

The appeals court has rejected a request to rehear a case alleging that Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' ripped off Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get It On'.

Podcast is Going Video

Did you know that YouTube is now the most-used podcast platform in the United States? It surpasses even Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Nearly 40% of new podcast listeners actively watch podcasts while listening.

Central Cee has launched a four-part radio series on Apple Music

Right from its start, Apple Music’s radio arm has enlisted various artists as DJs with their own shows.

Emerging markets-focused label Heatwave strikes publishing joint venture with Kobalt

Heatwave was launched by ex-Syco Music MD Tyler Brown and Harold Serero, a former senior A&R executive at Ultra Music Publishing.

Spotify VP of markets & subscriptions, Gustav Gyllenhammar: “What would it take to build a service that is loved by a billion subscribers globally?”

Gyllenhammar talks about moving Spotify from 6 million subscribers to over 250 million in 11 years, how societal attitudes to all forms of subscription are changing, why free will remain critical to Spotify’s subscriber growth potential, where making free better will actually make Premium more desirable, and where the free/Premium tension is become more nuanced based on where in the world the audience is.

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