THU. BRIEF: Rivals Back Spotify In Apple Dispute • Napster Turns A Profit • SXSW Update • More

THURSDAY 3.14.19
Music Business News From Around The Web
Updated continuously under the More News tab

Settlement Reached in Rhapsody Napster Mechanicals Class-Action Suit

We now know more details about Rhapsody Napster’s settlement with David Lowery. Nearly three years ago, Cracker frontman and songwriter David Lowery took Rhapsody International to court. Lowery, along with David Faragher, Greg Lisher, and Victor Krumme…

Rhapsody and Napster To Pay Songwriters Up To $10M In Class Action Settlement

The law firm representing musician and artist advocate David Lowery and other songwriters has filed a motion for preliminary approval of a settlement that will see self-published songwriters paid as much as $10 million by Rhapsody and it’s Napster music streaming service. The settlement, filed in the US District Court…

Napster has a new majority owner, as RealNetworks doubles its stake in a deal worth up to $40 million

RealNetworks has doubled its previous stake of around 42% to approximately 84%
The post Napster has a new majority owner, as RealNetworks doubles its stake in a deal worth up to $40 million appeared first on Music Business Worldwide.

RealNetworks Takes Control Of Napster Music Streaming Service For Just $1M Up Front

RealNetworks has doubled its stake in Rhapsody International, which operates the Napster music streaming service. RealNetworks now owns 84% of Napster and will operate it as an independent subsidiary. The transaction values Napster at less than $140 million. Bill Patrizio will continue to be Napster’s CEO, and Rob Glaser will…

RealNetworks Doubles Its Stake in Rhapsody, Effectively Owning Napster

RealNetworks wants in on Napster’s success. Unlike its other rivals in the streaming music market, Napster has actually turned a profit. In the past year and a half, Napster’s successful growth in the B2B market has helped the company deliver five cons…

Why has Sony Music just launched a streaming service (and Spotify rival) in Japan?

Streaming has overtaken downloads in revenue terms for first time this year in the market
The post Why has Sony Music just launched a streaming service (and Spotify rival) in Japan? appeared first on Music Business Worldwide.

Americans Listen to 151 Minutes of Music Each Day

So, just how much music do you really listen to?  And, how do you spend your music listening time? In Audio Monitor US 2018, a joint study on music habits in the US, Music Biz and AudienceNet have found most Americans still listen to more music on the …

Napster Proves That Streaming Music Can Be Profitable

Paid only.  Lower subscriptions.  No IPO.  And, a small profit.  What could Spotify and other streaming music services stand to learn from Napster? Last month, Spotify reported a new record in its Q2 2018 financial report. The Swedish streaming platfor…

After revenues dropped last year, can Napster really compete in the streaming music space?

US company turned over $172.4m last year, down from $208.1m in 2016
The post After revenues dropped last year, can Napster really compete in the streaming music space? appeared first on Music Business Worldwide.