Streaming round-up – February 2024

by IDOL
News
23.02.24
Stay up to date on the latest in streaming news with our monthly round-up. This month, a power struggle between TikTok and UMG, new and improved YouTube Shorts and a beta Apple Music app for playlists. Don’t miss a beat!

The figure of the month: Spotify has paid $9 billion to music rights holders in 2023, which represents 63% of its annual turnover. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

Economy

Apple music
Apple faces €500 million EU fine for blocking access to music streaming apps. More info on The Guardian. Apple Music’s Audio Spatial royalty change worries independent labels. More info on Billboard.

Pandora
MLC initiates legal action against Pandora for alleged non-payment of royalties. More info on Billboard.

Spotify
Spotify gained 10 million subscribers in Q4 2023, bringing its total audience to 236 million paying subscribers. More info on Music Business Worldwide. After 13 years of partnership with Songkick, Spotify integrates Bandsintown into its platform. More info on Music Week.

TikTok
A study reports that 85% of videos on TikTok contain music, more than on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. More info on Digital Music News. TikTok rolls out the Add To Music app in 163 additional countries. More info on Music Week. The platform is shedding 60 employees. More info on TechCrunch. As the partnership between Universal Music Group and TikTok has come to an end, with no new agreement being reached, the major is withdrawing its catalog from the social network. More info on Music Week. This action is supported by all the independents. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

YouTube
YouTube Music and Premium exceed 100 million subscribers. More info on Music Week. YouTube CEO outlines priorities for 2024: AI, Shorts and TVs. More info on Music Ally.

New Features

Apple Music
Apple launches new Windows applications. More info on The Verge. Apple Music tests a feature to import playlists from Spotify and other platforms. More info on 9to5Mac.

BlueSky
Twitter competitor Bluesky is officially open to all, without invitation code needed. More info on Mashable.

Insidr Music
Insidr Music launches a music streaming application, which claims to pay artists “4000% more than other platforms”. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

Deezer
Deezer launches Duo, a new Premium package. More info on Kill the DJ.

Instagram
Instagram tests the carousel option in Reels. More info on Social Media Today.

Linktree
Linktree launches features for scheduling and archiving links. More info on TechCrunch.

Meta
Meta offers clear labeling of AI-generated images. More info on Music Ally. Meta passes Apple’s “boosted post tax” onto advertisers. More info on The Verge.

Soundcloud
AI-created music can now be uploaded to SoundCloud. More info on Music Business Worldwide.

Spotify
Spotify closes its “Music + Talk” podcast format. More info on Music Ally. Spotify has launched a new TikTok-like feature that lets users scroll through a feed of short music clips. More info on Music Tech. Spotify makes it even easier to share music on Snapchat. More info on Music Ally. Spotify launches the “Spotify Classics” Hub, which highlights gold albums by the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna and Jay-Z. More info on Variety. Spotify launches a partnership agency to connect artists and brands. More info on Complete Music Update.

TikTok
TikTok encourages certain creators to post videos in landscape format. More info on Social Media Today.

YouTube
YouTube now lets you integrate or remix YouTube Music clips in Shorts. More info on TechCrunch.

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