News

Analysis and updates from the world of high‑resolution and digital audio.

Stay up to date with developments in high‑resolution audio, music streaming, internet radio, and digital distribution. Our News section blends timely updates with analysis of the trends shaping how we listen — from new codec standards and platform rollouts to artist‑focused innovations.

You’ll also find commentary on streaming economics, audio quality debates, and the evolving landscape of lossless and immersive formats.

News

NZ mirrors Australia with record streaming growth

23/04/2018

For the third year in a row the New Zealand music industry has experienced double digit percentage growth with wholesale revenue growing by 14.6% in 2017 to NZ$98.8m driven largely by New Zealand’s ever-increasing adoption and use of music streaming services, according to new figures released by record industry association Recorded Music NZ. Wholesale revenue from streaming in 2017 was $61.3m, a 41.6% increase on 2016. Last year’s streaming revenue is almost as large as […]

News

Idagio to stream Warner Classics catalogue

20/04/2018

Specialist classical music streamer, Idagio is to offer the entire Warner Classics and Erato catalogue. The Idagio streaming service, which already comprises over 650,000 tracks, will now include all the recent releases from the Warner Classics and Erato labels as well as recordings originally issued on EMI Classics, Teldec (now Warner Classics) and Virgin Classics (now Erato). The albums to be made available in the coming weeks encompass reference recordings of legacy artists such as […]

News

Australian record industry growth fuelled by streaming

17/04/2018

In 2017 the Australian record industry grew by 10.5% fuelled by a 56% increase in advertising supported and subscription streaming services, according to ARIA, the Australian Recording Industry Association. The increase in value to A$391 million was the largest increase the industry has experienced in its annual wholesale figures since 1996. 2017 was the first year that revenue from music streaming services (at A$213 million) accounted for over half (54%) of the overall market. The […]

Amazon announces Elton John’s ‘The Soundboard’ experience

06/04/2018

Amazon Music announces ‘The Soundboard’ an inside look into the making of Revamp and Restoration, two recently released albums from Elton John which celebrate the iconic artist’s legendary songs. Elton John and long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin present the music and stories behind their extraordinary catalogue and song writing partnership, with commentary surrounding new interpretations of these classic songs from a diverse roster of some of the world’s biggest artists including Chris Martin, Demi Lovato, Brandon […]

Spotify goes public

06/04/2018

In March this year Spotify filed for a direct listing (Spotify takes the first step to going public) on the New York Stock Exchange. The Swedish owned company made its stock market debut (4th April 2018) with a market capitalisation of $30bn although that dropped to $27bn after early profit taking. In 2017 Spotify generated $4.99bn in revenue, up from $3.6bn in 2016. Its number of paid subscribers grew by 46% with monthly active users […]

News

Saavn and JioMusic merge to form India’s largest music streamer

01/04/2018

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has agreed to buy out music streaming platform Saavn and merge it with its own digital music service JioMusic to form India’s largest music streamer. The $104 million in cash and remainder in stock deal for Saavn will value the combined streaming entity at about US $1 bn with RIL holding roughly three quarters of the merged entity. Reliance plans to invest up to $100 million of which $20 million will be […]

TIDAL launches Amazon Fire TV App and Android Auto service

25/03/2018

TIDAL announced the launch of the TIDAL app for Android Auto as well as Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. TIDAL subscribers get a custom Fire TV interface that is designed to provide the best experience for large screen devices. Subscribers with Android Auto compatible vehicles can now access TIDAL, simplifying the use of apps on the go. Amazon Fire TV App On the ‘Home’ screen of Fire TV, users will have access to […]