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

“Content is king” say analysts - so why is Spotify worth more than the entire music rights industry?

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Spotify • 3 min read

“Content is king” say analysts - so why is Spotify worth more than the entire music rights industry?

Lucian Grainge might be rubbing his hands with glee after a new report by investment bankers TD Cowen said Spotify is overvalued and Universal is undervalued. Plus the financial wizards reckon the majors might have the upper hand in future streaming negotiations now Spotify has hit profitability…

Chris Cooke • 11 Jul 2025

We are TikTok users so we can use music on TikTok, barks DSW Shoe Warehouse

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DSW Shoe Warehouse • 4 min read

We are TikTok users so we can use music on TikTok, barks DSW Shoe Warehouse

In May, Warner sued DSW Shoe Warehouse over unlicensed music in the retailer’s social media posts. Now the shoe seller wants the courts to confirm it hasn’t infringed any one’s copyrights because it’s a TikTok user and therefore should be covered by TikTok’s music licences, even though it isn’t…

Chris Cooke • 11 Jul 2025

TikTok has built a US-specific app ahead of Trump’s forced sale

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TikTok • 3 min read

TikTok has built a US-specific app ahead of Trump’s forced sale

Donald Trump has said that his administration will this week seek approval from the Chinese government for a sale of TikTok’s US operations by China’s ByteDance to a group of American investors. With a sale now looking likely, it’s reported that TikTok is prepping a new specific app for US users…

Chris Cooke • 07 Jul 2025

“Regulating Spotify like radio is like regulating Uber like a horse and buggy” streaming giant tells Canadian regulators

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Spotify • 3 min read

“Regulating Spotify like radio is like regulating Uber like a horse and buggy” streaming giant tells Canadian regulators

Canada’s broadcasting regulator the CRTC is still figuring out how to implement the country’s Online Streaming Act, including how it should regulate streaming platforms. At a hearing last week, Spotify said it basically shouldn’t, because radio industry style regulation makes no sense online…

Chris Cooke • 24 Jun 2025

Spotify customers forced into bundled plans says David Israelite as Senators urge FTC to intervene

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Spotify • 3 min read

Spotify customers forced into bundled plans says David Israelite as Senators urge FTC to intervene

US Senators have asked the FTC to investigate Spotify’s bundling trick, which saw it automatically opt premium subscribers into a music + audiobooks bundle that is more expensive and pays less to writers and publishers. The senators say they have “serious concerns” about this trick being employed…

Chris Cooke • 23 Jun 2025

As Trump extends TikTok timeline yet again, will a ban or sale ever actually happen?

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TikTok • 4 min read

As Trump extends TikTok timeline yet again, will a ban or sale ever actually happen?

The latest deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok in the US, or face a ban, was today. But the White House has confirmed Donald Trump is pushing the deadline back for a third time. It makes you wonder if the law passed by Congress ordering a change in ownership or a ban will ever actually be enforced…

Chris Cooke • 19 Jun 2025

Major labels “bewildered” by why Trump appointee would meddle in Cox Communications piracy case

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Cox Communications • 2 min read

Major labels “bewildered” by why Trump appointee would meddle in Cox Communications piracy case

Donald Trump’s Solicitor General recently urged the US Supreme Court to intervene in the major labels’ legal battle with ISP Cox, expressing concerns that precedent set in the case could lead to millions of internet disconnections. The majors now say that intervention is “bewildering” and wrong…

Chris Cooke • 13 Jun 2025

Industry and policymakers should work together to stop two-tier streaming market taking hold, says new IMPALA report

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IMPALA • 3 min read

Industry and policymakers should work together to stop two-tier streaming market taking hold, says new IMPALA report

IMPALA has published a new report on the streaming business, criticising recent trends that are creating a two-tier market that favours the majors. It calls on industry and policymakers to work together to ensure a steaming ecosystem that “supports innovation, inclusivity and sustainable growth”…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jun 2025

“History repeating itself” say music creators as majors start negotiations with Suno and Udio

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Artificial Intelligence • 4 min read

“History repeating itself” say music creators as majors start negotiations with Suno and Udio

The majors are involved in licensing negotiations with the two music AI companies they sued last year, Udio and Suno. But will they consult music creators before agreeing any deals? Artist and songwriter organisations fear not, but insist that creator consent must be secured before signing any deals…

Chris Cooke • 03 Jun 2025

NYC backs plan to hike streaming prices by 50% to pay musicians as much as $40k a year each

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Streaming • 4 min read

NYC backs plan to hike streaming prices by 50% to pay musicians as much as $40k a year each

A proposal that could see every musician in the US better off to the tune of $40k a year via a 50% levy on music streaming subscriptions has been endorsed by New York City Council. It says Congress should back the proposals which would provide new income for musicians living and working in NYC…

Chris Cooke & Sam Taylor • 30 May 2025

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Apple • 2 min read

Forced change to Apple App Store rules has resulted in more Spotify Premium sign-ups

A US court has agreed to fast-track Apple’s appeal of an injunction that forces it to allow developers to link to external payment options from within their apps, but declined to pause the injunction in the short term. Spotify says the injunction has already resulted in an uplift in premium sign-ups…

Chris Cooke • 23 May 2025

SoundCloud’s amended AI clause still “fundamentally terrible for artists” says Ed Newton-Rex

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SoundCloud • 2 min read

SoundCloud’s amended AI clause still “fundamentally terrible for artists” says Ed Newton-Rex

SoundCloud boss Eliah Seton has responded to concerns about an AI clause in the platform’s terms of service, insisting that the company will use AI for discovery and not various generative uses. The AI clause has been amended, but still isn’t clear enough according to Ed Newton-Rex of Fairly Trained…

Chris Cooke • 15 May 2025