Digital services and platforms news - CMU | the music business explained

Spotify launches Lite and Platinum subscriptions in five markets, with higher quality audio reserved for the top tier

public

Spotify • 2 min read

Spotify launches Lite and Platinum subscriptions in five markets, with higher quality audio reserved for the top tier

Spotify has rejigged its subscription products in five markets, including India, introducing a Lite and Platinum tier. The higher priced tier includes access to higher-quality audio and Spotify’s AI DJ, already available with standard subscriptions elsewhere, but also provides access for three users…

Chris Cooke • 14 Nov 2025

As the bundling discount war continues, Spotify agrees video licence for indie music publishers

public

Spotify • 2 min read

As the bundling discount war continues, Spotify agrees video licence for indie music publishers

Spotify has launched a scheme with the US National Music Publishers Association allowing smaller publishers to opt-in to new licensing deals covering video content. For its core music service Spotify relies on the compulsory licence within the US, but that doesn’t apply when music is used in videos…

Chris Cooke • 12 Nov 2025

The Sabres Of Paradise join mounting Spotify boycott over Ek’s AI killer drones

public

Spotify • 4 min read

The Sabres Of Paradise join mounting Spotify boycott over Ek’s AI killer drones

The artist boycott of Spotify continues, with The Sabres Of Paradise the latest to pull their music in protest at the streaming service’s business model and founder Daniel Ek’s investments in AI weapons. Though, as fans join the boycott, are the music services run by tech giants any more ethical?…

Chris Cooke • 11 Nov 2025

Spotify’s Discovery Mode tricks people into listening to Drake, alleges payola lawsuit

public

Spotify • 3 min read

Spotify’s Discovery Mode tricks people into listening to Drake, alleges payola lawsuit

Spotify has been sued over Discovery Mode, with subscriber Genevieve Capolongo claiming the “personalised listening experience” she was promised was ruined because the streaming service sold her recommendations “to the highest bidder”. It’s the second class action filed against Spotify this week…

Chris Cooke • 06 Nov 2025

Streaming services don’t want French language quotas in Québec

public

DiMA • 3 min read

Streaming services don’t want French language quotas in Québec

Québec is considering new laws to promote Francophone music on digital platforms in the Canadian province, which would likely include French language quotas. Streaming services have told politicians quotas won’t work and Francophone music is best promoted through “listener choice, not constraint”…

Chris Cooke • 31 Oct 2025

SoundCloud, Bandsintown and DistroKid all launch new tools for independent artists

public

Digital services and platforms news • 3 min read

SoundCloud, Bandsintown and DistroKid all launch new tools for independent artists

It’s a busy day for announcements by platforms that provide digital tools for independent artists. SoundCloud has revamped its artist subscription product; Bandsintown has a new Artists Marketplace; and DIY distributor DistroKid is now offering artists print-on-demand direct-to-fan merch services…

Chris Cooke • 30 Oct 2025

Another blow for Apple’s in-app payments as company loses £1.5 billion competition lawsuit

public

Apple • 3 min read

Another blow for Apple’s in-app payments as company loses £1.5 billion competition lawsuit

Apple has lost a class action before the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal over its App Store fees, which have long been criticised by Spotify. The tribunal ruled Apple exploited its market dominance to charge excessive fees, which impacted on consumers. It could now face damages of £1.5 billion…

Chris Cooke • 24 Oct 2025

Universal Music beats artists in three separate streaming royalty lawsuits

public

Universal Music • 3 min read

Universal Music beats artists in three separate streaming royalty lawsuits

A Dutch court has ruled on three lawsuits filed against Universal by artists who claimed that the major was incorrectly interpreting old record contracts and paying excessively low royalties on streaming income as a result. Judges concluded that the artists had failed to establish that was happening…

Kaya Robertson • 24 Oct 2025

UK regulator now empowered to consider changing in-app payment rules in Spotify’s favour

public

Apple • 2 min read

UK regulator now empowered to consider changing in-app payment rules in Spotify’s favour

Apple and Google’s mobile platforms have both been designated as having ‘strategic market status’ by the CMA, which could result in the UK regulator forcing changes to the two companies’ app store rules, including the in-app payment rules that have long been criticised by Spotify…

Kaya Robertson • 23 Oct 2025

Spotify promises “artist-first AI music products” as it announces alliance with majors, Merlin and Believe

public

Spotify • 2 min read

Spotify promises “artist-first AI music products” as it announces alliance with majors, Merlin and Believe

Spotify has pledged to “put artists and songwriters first” when developing music AI products, committing to work in partnership with the music industry and ensuring that its AI ventures are fully licensed. The three majors, Merlin and Believe are all on board for some Spotify-led AI experimentation…

Chris Cooke • 17 Oct 2025

Majors tell US Supreme Court to ignore ISP’s doom and gloom predictions and uphold billion dollar piracy ruling

public

Cox Communications • 3 min read

Majors tell US Supreme Court to ignore ISP’s doom and gloom predictions and uphold billion dollar piracy ruling

The majors have urged the US Supreme Court to uphold their billion dollar win in a piracy lawsuit against ISP Cox. It argues that that ruling will result in mass internet disconnections, but the majors say that’s not true, and that Cox was simply held liable after saying ‘fuck copyright law’…

Chris Cooke • 16 Oct 2025

BMG is the latest publisher to agree direct licence with Spotify in the US

public

BMG • 2 min read

BMG is the latest publisher to agree direct licence with Spotify in the US

BMG has agreed a direct licensing deal with Spotify covering its songs catalogue in the US. It follows the majors and Kobalt in agreeing a direct deal that circumvents the MLC-administered compulsory licence in the US market, in response to Spotify exploiting a bundling discount in that MLC licence…

Chris Cooke • 09 Oct 2025