Paid Streaming Dominates Music Listening For First Time
For the first time, paid music streaming services account for the majority of listening time among U.S. consumers, according to new data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear study. The milestone underscores a fundamental shift in how audiences consume music — and what they’re willing to pay for.
AI and the Future of Music Licensing: From Uncertainty to Opportunity
Music supervisors—the people who choose and license songs for film, TV, and ads—are often the gatekeepers to massive exposure for indie songwriters. A single placement can reach millions of new listeners and open career-changing doors. But as AI-generated tracks flood the market, authentic, human-made songs are more valued than ever.
Bandsintown expands mission to empower Artists with Marketplace
Live music discovery leader Bandsintown continues to expand on its mission to empower artists at all stages of their careers with the launch of the Bandsintown For Artists Marketplace. This first-of-its-kind ecosystem offers independent musicians tools to connect with fans and – unlike most “For Artists” platforms – control their relationship with them.
DistroKid adds ‘Direct’ Merch Sales
Indie D.I.Y. music distributor DistroKid has launched Direct – a new platform that brings direct-to-fan commerce to smaller independent artists. Designed to go beyond traditional distribution, Direct enables artists to create and run on-demand merch stores from within the DistroKid ecosystem.
