Spotify news

Subscribers didn’t ask for audiobooks says MLC as it hits back at Spotify

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MLC • 2 min read

Subscribers didn’t ask for audiobooks says MLC as it hits back at Spotify

The bundling battle between Spotify and US collecting society the MLC continues. In a new letter to the court where it has sued the streaming service, the MLC says that Spotify has failed to demonstrate that audiobook access has any value to its premium subscribers…

Chris Cooke • 30 Jul 2024

It’s “common sense” that audiobooks have “more than token value” says Spotify in MLC lawsuit response letter

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Spotify • 4 min read

It’s “common sense” that audiobooks have “more than token value” says Spotify in MLC lawsuit response letter

Spotify has sent a letter to the court where it has been sued by the MLC in the ongoing dispute over its decision to classify its premium subscription as a music + audiobooks bundle. That centres on whether audiobook access has “more than token value”. Spotify argues that common sense says it does…

Chris Cooke • 24 Jul 2024

Spotify’s Q2: Cost cutting is paying off, Ek teases Supremium launch, hints at secret features beyond hi-res audio

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Spotify • 4 min read

Spotify’s Q2: Cost cutting is paying off, Ek teases Supremium launch, hints at secret features beyond hi-res audio

Spotify's latest earnings are a mixed bag. Subscriber numbers are up, but user growth is still slow. Cost-cutting is paying off and ad revenue is slowly bouncing back. Meanwhile, the company is rethinking how to attract and keep users in different markets. The big news? Supremium is coming…

Sam Taylor • 23 Jul 2024

Spotify ramps up protection for younger users, launches new Parental Guide

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Spotify • 2 min read

Spotify ramps up protection for younger users, launches new Parental Guide

Under pressure to do more to deal with harmful content on its platform, Spotify has launched a new Parental Guide, offering advice for how parents can monitor and manage their children’s use of the service. “Safety is a top priority for Spotify”, says Head Of Platform Integrity Marcelina Slota…

Chris Cooke • 22 Jul 2024

Majority of subscription websites and apps employ ‘dark patterns’, says two new reports

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Digital services and platforms news • 2 min read

Majority of subscription websites and apps employ ‘dark patterns’, says two new reports

Two new reports say that most subscription websites and apps employ dark patterns, design techniques that manipulate consumers when making buying or data decisions. The reports are published as criticism mounts over how Spotify is currently hiding its 10.99 audiobook free subscription product…

Chris Cooke • 12 Jul 2024

Setlist Podcast: Spotify referred to FTC over “unlawful conduct”

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Setlist • 20 min read

Setlist Podcast: Spotify referred to FTC over “unlawful conduct”

The latest on the music publishers' battle with Spotify, Drake's allegedly trademark infringing t-shirts, and Easy Life's return following their legal battle with easyGroup…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 14 Jun 2024

Music publishers now fighting Spotify audiobook bundling trick on multiple fronts

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Spotify • 3 min read

Music publishers now fighting Spotify audiobook bundling trick on multiple fronts

The music publishers have written to the US Federal Trade Commission accusing Spotify of unlawful conduct over the way it bundled audiobooks into its main subscription product. It means the music industry is now fighting that big bundle, which reduces royalties to songwriters, on multiple fronts…

Chris Cooke • 13 Jun 2024

Spotify needs to find a path to consistent profitability. Are high res audio and AI playlists really the answer?

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Spotify • 9 min read

Spotify needs to find a path to consistent profitability. Are high res audio and AI playlists really the answer?

With its deadline to repay $1.3 billion in debt getting closer, Spotify needs to do anything it can to increase top line revenues and hit a consistent streak of profitability. It’s time to talk SUPREMIUM again!…

Sam Taylor • 12 Jun 2024

Investors welcome Spotify price increases, big up the service’s “pricing power”

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Spotify • 3 min read

Investors welcome Spotify price increases, big up the service’s “pricing power”

Spotify is increasing its prices for the second time in less than a year. Investors have welcomed the move, reckoning that it won’t negatively impact on total user numbers and will help Spotify in its ongoing bid to become a profitable business…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jun 2024

Spotify sued over decision to stop supporting Car Thing

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Spotify • 3 min read

Spotify sued over decision to stop supporting Car Thing

Spotify has been sued by subscribers who are still using its Car Thing device to control use of the service in their vehicles. Sales of Car Thing stopped in 2022 and the device will no longer be supported from December, meaning remaining devices won’t work. That, says a lawsuit, is not acceptable…

Chris Cooke • 30 May 2024

Setlist Podcast: “Spotify is not a business partner”, says NMPA boss

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Setlist • 3 min read

Setlist Podcast: “Spotify is not a business partner”, says NMPA boss

The NMPA ramps up its battle with Spotify, Sony sues Marriott…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 24 May 2024

Spotify’s conduct proves US compulsory licence isn’t working, says NMPA boss

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National Music Publishers Association • 6 min read

Spotify’s conduct proves US compulsory licence isn’t working, says NMPA boss

Earlier this week the US National Music Publishers Association said that publishers should be allowed to opt out of the compulsory licence relied upon by streaming services. Yesterday its CEO said that change is required because Spotify’s conduct has proven the current system isn’t working…

Chris Cooke • 23 May 2024