13 posts and columns on record labels

News Byte

The End Is Here Before the Beginning for Beyond Oblivion

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.

Voices

Baidu, Record Labels in Deal

in News on July 19, 2011 at 5:00 am PT

Baidu Inc. reached a deal with major record labels to provide licensed copies of songs on the Chinese Internet search giant’s site, a landmark agreement that brings the music industry together with a company long accused by industry executives of abetting piracy.

Pandora's Tim Westergren Speaks!

in News on October 11, 2010 at 6:17 am PT

Here’s an interesting video interview BoomTown did last week with Tim Westergren, Chief Strategy Officer and founder of Pandora Media, where I interviewed him at “The Future of Music” forum in Washington, D.C. The former musician has ridden all the various bumps the Internet radio station has endured since its founding in 2000. Now, with a stable and growing revenue stream turbocharged by a popular mobile app and about 50 million users, Westergren talks about what’s next for Pandora.

Voices

ITunes Songs Aren’t Purchased but "Licensed," Court Rules

in News on September 7, 2010 at 1:08 pm PT

In a decision that could affect the financial relationships between record labels and performers, a federal appeals court in San Francisco on Friday ruled that songs downloaded from Apple’s iTunes store are not actually purchased, but are rather “licensed” by the ostensible buyer.

Voices

Google Plans Music Service Tied to Search Engine

in News on June 22, 2010 at 12:00 am PT

Google Inc. is preparing to roll out a music download service tied to its search engine later this year, followed by an online subscription service in 2011, according to people familiar with the Internet giant’s discussions with the music industry.

Web Radio Darling Pandora Slips the Noose, But at a Cost: Heavy Users Have to Pay. Next Up: A Big Funding Round?

in Media on July 7, 2009 at 2:01 pm PT

Web radio darling Pandora has good news for its users: We’re saved! And a slightly different message for its heaviest users: Pay up. And perhaps a third message for potential investors: Want to write us a check?
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