Pay to get playlisted? The accusations against Spotify’s Discovery Mode
Discovery Mode gets artists noticed in exchange for a 30% royalty reduction. A new book suggests that the platform is squeezing musicians and misleading listeners
In November 2020, Spotify published an opaque headline on its company blog: “Amplifying Artist Input in Your Personalised Recommendations.” The post introduced a new program called Discovery Mode, which would ask artists to accept lower royalty rates in exchange for algorithmic promotion. It was pay-to-play, but Spotify introduced the scheme using neutral language: artists would be able to “identify music that’s a priority for them”, which would become one of “thousands” of data inputs influencing how Spotify delivers “the perfect song for the moment, just for you”. Rather than charge an upfront fee, “labels or rights-holders agree to be paid a promotional recording royalty rate for streams in personalised listening sessions where Spotify provided this service”.
Participating artists and labels take a 30% royalty reduction on tracks enrolled in the program, when they are discovered through its channels. Only tracks more than 30 days old are eligible. Notably, there have been no signs that Spotify plans to publicly label which songs are enrolled: a lack of disclosure that has caused many music advocacy groups to liken Discovery Mode to the radio payola of the 1950s, which was eventually outlawed by the US Federal Trade Commission. (Though the company points out that it has published a broad guide to understanding recommendations on Spotify, including a paragraph on “commercial considerations”.)
Continue reading...-
The Price You Pay: Egg prices’ impact on bakeries
One of the downstream impacts of bird flu and the soaring egg prices: its impact on bakeries. We visit one Pittsburgh bakery struggling that’s seen egg prices soar in the last two years, and the ...NBC News - 17h -
Netanyahu: Hamas will pay for not returning mother Shiri Bibas
Yahoo News - 8h -
Argentina court clears 3 accused in singer Liam Payne’s death
An Argentine court has cleared three of the five people accused of their alleged involvement in singer Liam Payne’s death, local media reported Thursday.NBC News - 8h -
Britain accuses Russia of planning to interfere in upcoming Central African Republic elections
Britain accused Russia of planning to interfere in upcoming elections in the Central African Republic, and the U.S. alleged that Moscow was seeking to steal the gold and diamond-rich country’s ...NBC News - 7h -
FirstFT: Ceasefire under threat after Hamas accused of violation
Also in today’s newsletter, Japanese to court Tesla for Nissan investment, and Eric Adams’ Faustian pact with TrumpFinancial Times - 6h -
Accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer to appear in New York court
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to appear in a New York courtroom on Friday. The 26-year-old is charged with first degree murder. ...CBS News - 3h -
Concerns for ceasefire as Israel accuses Hamas of breaking promise to return hostage remains
Israel says Hamas is violating the ceasefire deal over the return of hostage remains. Israel identified the bodies of a 4-year-old and his 9-month-old brother, but forensic tests revealed a third ...CBS News - 3h -
Semona leads Stonehill against Wagner
Stonehill Skyhawks (14-13, 6-6 NEC) at Wagner Seahawks (12-13, 4-8 NEC) Staten Island, New York; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Stonehill visits Wagner after Louie Semona scored 30 points in ...ABC News - 2d -
Trump layoff plan gets reprieve
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Judge gives Trump go-ahead on mass layoffs A federal judge refused a request from ...The Hill - 18h -
Google agrees to pay Italy $340 million to settle a tax evasion investigation
Italian prosecutors say they are seeking to drop a tax evasion investigation against Google after the tech giant agreed to pay a 326 million euro ($340 million) settlementABC News - 2d
More from The Guardian
-
Middle East crisis live: Israel claims Hamas killed Bibas children with their ‘bare hands’
Statement from IDF spokesman contradicts Hamas claim the family was killed in an airstrike. One of the four bodies returned by Hamas to Israel on Thursday is not that of Shiri Bibas, Israel’s ...The Guardian - 24m -
French far-right leader cancels CPAC speech over Steve Bannon’s ‘Nazi’ salute
Jordan Bardella calls off US address after former Trump aide makes controversial gesture with outstretched arm onstage. The French far-right leader Jordan Bardella on Friday morning cancelled a ...The Guardian - 1h -
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live
US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. National security adviser Mike Waltz told a crowd ...The Guardian - 17m -
Woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann charged with stalking
Julia Wandel allegedly sent letters, calls, WhatsApps and visited family of missing girl . A woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been remanded in custody after being charged with stalking ...The Guardian - 3h -
Apple removes advanced data protection tool in face of UK government request
Apple says removal of tool after government asked for right to see data will make iCloud users more vulnerable. Business live – latest updates Apple has taken the unprecedented step of ...The Guardian - 29m
More in World
-
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live
US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. National security adviser Mike Waltz told a crowd ...The Guardian - 17m -
South Carolina man to be killed in US’s first firing squad execution in 15 years
Brad Sigmon, 67, chooses to be shot dead amid concerns that lethal injections have caused ‘excruciating’ pain. A South Carolina man on death row has chosen to be killed by firing squad, and if ...The Guardian - 20m -
Middle East crisis live: Israel claims Hamas killed Bibas children with their ‘bare hands’
Statement from IDF spokesman contradicts Hamas claim the family was killed in an airstrike. One of the four bodies returned by Hamas to Israel on Thursday is not that of Shiri Bibas, Israel’s ...The Guardian - 24m -
Pep Guardiola on Haaland injury and De Bruyne absence – live football news
Champions League draw: PSG-Liverpool, Madrid derby Europa League: Spurs face AZ, Man Utd face Sociedad Get in touch with Rob | Sign up to Football Daily here A video explains just how the ...The Guardian - 24m -
Apple removes advanced data protection tool in face of UK government request
Apple says removal of tool after government asked for right to see data will make iCloud users more vulnerable. Business live – latest updates Apple has taken the unprecedented step of ...The Guardian - 29m