Sony Corporation has launched the Sony Audio Institute at NYUs Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, focusing on innovation in the business and technology of music. Opening this spring, the Sony Audio Institute will serve as an interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together the expertise of Sony’s professional and consumer audio businesses and their leading-edge technologies with NYU students, facilities and faculty. The institute opens with NYU Steinhardt Music Business Program Director Larry Miller at the helm. Miller will focus on the new outfit’s operations full time beginning this fall. Continue reading $7.5M Funds NYU’s Sony Audio Institute, Opening This Spring

Pandora unveiled Pandora Plus, replacing the 16-year old company’s original ad-free service. What’s different is that the company now licenses music from the major record labels, rather than using compulsory licenses from the government, with rates determined by federal judges. With the new version, users can replay or skip songs and listen offline. The monthly price remains $4.99. Out of Pandora’s nearly 80 million users, only 4 million are paying subscribers. An on-demand tier for $10/month will also debut by end of 2016. Continue reading Pandora Plus Makes Debut, Record Labels Experience Uptick