Streaming round-up – Summer 2024

by IDOL
News
23.08.24
Stay up to date on the latest in streaming news with our monthly round-up. This month, Bandcamp lands on TikTok, TIDAL streamlines Digital Rights Management, and Soundcloud launches its merch. Don’t miss a beat!

The figure of the month: 8 billion. That’s the number of user-curated Spotify playlists, including 725 million just this year, according to Daniel Ek. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

Economy

Bandcamp
Bandcamp comes to TikTok to bring artists on the platform to new audiences. More info on Digital Music News. Bandcamp expands its offering for professionals, with the possibility of private streaming. More info on Hypebot.

Beatport
Beatport and Beatdapp join forces to combat fraud. More info on Music Ally.

Deezer
Deezer and sports streaming platform Dazn collaborate to offer discounted subscriptions. More info on Music Ally.

Meta
According to the EU, Meta’s plan for an ad-free version is not legal. More info on BBC. Universal Music Group and Meta sign a new global agreement that includes WhatsApp. More info on Music Week.

Shazam
Shazam users can now find Ticketmaster events via the app. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

Soundcloud
SoundCloud signs a strategic partnership with Resident Advisor. More info on Music Week.

Spotify
Mechanical Licensing Collective responds to Spotify’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit about its audiobook bundle offer. More info on Music Business Worldwide. With support from Amazon and Apple, Spotify filed a legal challenge against the new Canadian music streaming tax. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

TikTok
TikTok signs a new agreement with Amazon to facilitate In-App purchases. More info on Social Media Today. TikTok partners with Eventbrite for ticket sales and event promotion. More info on Music Week. TikTok is forced to abandon its Lite version based on a rewards system, deemed “addictive” by the EU. More info on Complete Music Update. TikTok implements restrictions on ads targeting teenagers and new AI requirements. More info on Social Media Today. Nepal lifts ban on TikTok after nine months. More info on Le Monde. In the US, TikTok’s proposals to allay concerns about data security have been deemed insufficient by the government. More info on Complete Music Update.

YouTube
YouTube is in talks with Sony, Universal and Warner about licensing its AI tools. More info on Music Business Worldwide. YouTube tackles AI deepfakes: new rules remove unauthorized voice clones. More info on Complete Music Update.

New Features

Amazon
Amazon Music launches a “Listening Party” option on Discord. More info on Music Ally.

Apple Music
Apple Music has added requirements for all new music uploaded to the platform. More info on Hypebot.

Bandlab
Users of the BandLab app can now test beats for free before buying them. More info on Music Tech.

Beatport
Beatport launches a Twitch channel and a dedicated DJ program to cater for the growing number of professionals on its platform. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

Deezer
Deezer launched its own “Playlist with AI” feature in beta. More info on Music Ally.

Instagram
Instagram reaffirms that the number of sent posts is key to the algorithm. More info on Social Media Today. But the number of views is now the primary metric for all content on the platform. More info on Hypebot. Instagram reels can now include up to 20 music tracks. More info on Music Ally. And carousels can include up to 20 images. More info on Social Media Today.

Instagram rolls out its AI Studio to create chatbots. More info on Music Ally. And allows some creators to create AI versions of themselves. More info on The Verge. In the test, Instagram launches location sharing on Friend Map. More info on Social Media Today.

Ircam Amplify
Ircam Amplify, affiliated with the Centre Pompidou, unveils software to identify AI-generated tracks. More info on Kill the DJ.

Linkedin
LinkedIn launches sponsored newsletters. More info on Social Media Today.

Popster
Video-sharing app Popster uses generative AI and allows artists to remix videos. More info on TechCrunch.

Spotify
Spotify launches its Countdown Pages for artists with over 5,000 listeners. More info on Music Ally. Spotify reverses its previous lyric restriction and expands access to free users. More info on Music Business Worldwide. Spotify adds a DJ AI for its Spanish-speaking community, ‘Livi’. More info on TechCrunch. Spotify tests an emergency alert system in Sweden. More info on Digital Music News.

Soundcloud
SoundCloud launches its own merchandise store, allowing artists to create their own designs. More info on TechCrunch.

TIDAL
TIDAL reorganizes its lossless and immersive formats. More info on The Verge. And launches a tool for songwriters to claim and manage their works. More info on Hypebot. Read the interview with TIDAL’s Global Product Manager on this subject.

TikTok
TikTok now lets you chat in groups of up to 32 people. More info on Evening Standard. In response to YouTube’s announcement, TikTok’s new SoundSearch feature lets you find music by singing or humming within the app. More info on Music Tech. TikTok updates watermark-free clip download option. More info on Social Media Today. TikTok develops a new AI chatbot called Genie. More info on Social Media Today.

YouTube
YouTube Music tests an AI-generated radio that offers custom music. More info on TechRadar. YouTube Music’s ‘personal radio’ shares your favorite songs with the world. More info on The Verge.

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