Spotify is facing a new lawsuit in the US accusing its “Discovery Mode” feature of being a “modern form of payola.” The complaint reignites the debate about fairness, transparency, and the growing role of algorithmic promotion in the streaming industry. 1. What the lawsuit is about The Discovery Mode feature allows artists and labels to […]
This week brings two major shifts in music streaming and promotion: First, a new AI partnership between Universal Music Group (UMG) and the platform Udio, and second, a major in‑app voting campaign by Spotify in connection with the ARIA Awards 2025. Both developments show how visibility, control and fan engagement are being re‑engineered. 1. UMG & Udio – […]
This week features several developments that are notably reshaping the streaming and music promo landscape: new streaming deals for consumers, a major rights deal between BMG and Spotify, and the growing influence of AI technologies in the music ecosystem. 1. New streaming deals for usersStreaming providers are increasingly offering attractive deals and bundles – not […]
This week, Spotify revealed it has removed 75 million spam tracks from its platform—many generated via AI to exploit royalty mechanics. At the same time, artists are pushing back ethically by pulling music off Spotify in protest of the CEO’s involvement in military AI ventures. Key Themes & Context Massive Spam Purge & AI Abuse• […]
This week in the music industry is dominated by two major developments: Spotify has reached a sweeping global licensing deal with Sony Music and Sony Music Publishing to improve how songwriters are paid, while Massive Attack have pulled their music from Spotify in protest over its CEO’s investments in military AI tech. 1. Spotify & […]
This week, Spotify finally delivered a long‑awaited feature: lossless audio streaming is now available for Premium subscribers. Now tracks can stream in 24‑bit / 44.1 kHz FLAC—a clear upgrade over compressed formats. Details & Background What Lossless Audio Means on Spotify• Previously, Spotify streams used compression which impacts sound detail and dynamics, especially noticeable on high‑end […]
Introduction Radio Promotion Even in the era of Spotify, TikTok and YouTube, radio remains a powerful medium for artists. Airplay not only reaches thousands of listeners but also builds credibility and helps artists gain new fans. But how does a track make it into a radio playlist? The answer lies in strategic radio promotion, also […]
Bandcamp has launched “Clubs,” a subscribe‑to‑own music discovery service that brings back human curation. For around $13/month, subscribers get a handpicked digital album from a chosen curator—journalist, producer, DJ or collector—that remains in their library even if they cancel. The model includes exclusive artist interviews and live listening events, blending the charm of classic record […]
This week’s top developments in the music world spotlight two seismic shifts: indie artists jumping ship from Spotify and the escalating debate around AI‑generated music. 1. Indie Artists Withdraw from Spotify Bands such as Deerhoof and others have pulled their music from Spotify in protest against founder Daniel Ek’s investment in a defense‑focused AI company. […]
Spotify just rolled out a brand-new feature called “Messages” that makes music sharing more personal and direct. Users can now send songs, playlists, podcasts, or albums straight to friends – all without leaving the app. How does it work? In-app sharing: From the “Now Playing” screen, simply tap the share icon. Choose contacts: Spotify suggests […]
