Due in part to growing demand in developing markets, digital music and streaming services are driving renewed health for the music industry, according to a report from global music trade body, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Digital revenues climbed $500 million worldwide in 2012 for a total of $5.6 billion, representing a nine percent increase over 2011. Continue reading Music Industry Sees Worldwide Growth, Led by Streaming

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

Streaming music startup Serendip began offering its “lean back” music discovery service to mobile devices this week with the debut of the Serendip iOS application. Similar to its Web version, the new app offers a “continuous stream of the music popular among friends, or others you’ve dubbed your ‘music soulmates,”’ explains TechCrunch. Continue reading Serendip Media: Music Discovery Service Launches iOS App