Spotify launched “Spotify for Artists” this week, a new website designed primarily for musicians and music managers. In an effort to quell industry critics, the site provides details regarding how the Spotify business model works, how the company calculates payouts for musicians, and how much the artists can expect to earn as the company expands. Spotify is also opening up its analytics for free, and has made e-commerce partnerships that incorporate merchandising. Continue reading Spotify Launches New Online Portal for Musicians and Managers

Streamnation is a comprehensive solution for storing and streaming photos and videos. Version 2.0 now allows users to share movies and TV shows that have been ripped to their computers and uploaded to the cloud. Founder Jonathan Benassaya, who navigated digital rights for years as the co-founder of streaming music service Deezer, is confident in Streamnation’s approach. He sees it as similar to physical borrowing but in the digital realm, since no copy is made. Continue reading Streamnation Offers New Approach to Sharing Movies and TV

Google is reportedly in talks with major music labels about the possibility of starting a music streaming service. It is expected that such a service would offer a subscription-based model along with free unlimited access to songs supported by ads, much the same as models already provided by streaming services such as Spotify and Deezer. Google started a music download store in 2011. Continue reading Will Google Soon Expand to Offer Streaming Music Service?

The streaming music service Deezer has announced partnerships with Samsung, Toshiba and LG that could possibly make the Deezer app available to some 600 million people across more than 150 countries. However, the deals are limited in scope since Deezer will initially only be available on Samsung smart TV models produced from 2011 (Europe only) and LG models from 2011 (worldwide). Deezer does not have a deal in place for the U.S. Continue reading Deezer Expands Global Music Streaming with Smart TV Deals

Heavy-hitting music-streaming company Deezer wants into the U.S. market in order to increase its overall market share. The Paris-based Spotify competitor launched a free streaming service in late December in more than 150 countries. The service currently allows users two hours of free listening per month on desktops and laptops, marking the first time the company has offered a free service backed by advertising outside its native France. Continue reading Spotify Rival Deezer Launches Wide, Seeks U.S. Partner