digital music

Neil Young, the Donkey and Digital Music: The Full Dive Into Media Interview (Video)

Peter Kafka in Dive Into Media on February 7 at 8:00 am PT

Neil Young explains why today’s music sounds awful, why Steve Jobs agreed with him, and what he wants to do to fix the problem.

An Exit Interview With Warner Music Group Chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr.

John Paczkowski in Dive Into Media on January 31 at 1:35 pm PT

Edgar Bronfman Jr. talks about EMI, Apple, Spotfiy and more on his last day as chairman of Warner Music Group.

Neil Young’s Music Rescue Mission (Video)

Ina Fried in Dive Into Media on January 31 at 1:19 pm PT

The legendary singer wants to see digital music embrace higher-quality audio files. Walt Mossberg questions whether he is fighting a losing battle.

News Byte

The End Is Here Before the Beginning for Beyond Oblivion

Arik Hesseldahl in News on December 31, 2011 at 9:27 am PT

Beyond Oblivion, a New York-based music start-up is shutting down before even launching a product, having burned through some $87 million worth of funding, according to a report in the Financial Times (link goes to a story behind a paywall). Backed by investments from News Corp. (which also owns this Web site), it had sought to bundle the service with hardware and charge a flat fee, but had trouble selling recording labels on the idea.

Apple, Starbucks Expanding iTunes Giveaways to Include Apps, Books and TV Shows

Ina Fried in Mobile on September 15, 2011 at 4:46 pm PT

The program, which traditionally has given coffee-shop customers a free song, has expanded in recent weeks to include apps and book samples; TV shows are expected soon.

How Media Companies Play With Steve Jobs’s New Rules: Give In, Go Around or Compromise

Peter Kafka in Media on August 10, 2011 at 11:57 am PT

How Apple’s subscriptions terms are forcing everyone from Amazon to The Wall Street Journal to make touch choices.

Wal-Mart Shutters Digital Music Store You Didn’t Know Existed

Peter Kafka in Media on August 9, 2011 at 1:02 pm PT

When you’re trailing Apple, and Amazon, and Zune, and Rhapsody and Napster, it’s probably a good idea to throw in the towel.

Spotify’s U.S. Score So Far: 1.4 Million Users, 175,000 Paying Customers

Peter Kafka in News on August 8, 2011 at 10:39 am PT

The streaming music service has been open in the U.S. for less than a month, but already has lots people taking a test-run. Some of them are even paying up.

Pirate Pays Up: Warner Music Cashes $12 Million LimeWire Check

Peter Kafka in News on August 4, 2011 at 9:53 am PT

We knew this was going to happen, but it’s such a man-bites-dog story it’s worth noting anyway.

Good Bet: We Can Stop Betting on Spotify’s U.S. Launch Next Week

Peter Kafka in Media on July 7, 2011 at 7:28 pm PT

The music service that still (still!) isn’t open for business in the U.S. has told industry executives that will change next week. Which doesn’t mean it will! Still, it’s got to happen some day …