This Month
Singing in English a ‘blessing and curse’ for Oz music: Grammy boss
The president of the Recording Academy says singing in English can be a disadvantage outside America – but Australia’s music industry can conquer it.
Spotify denies it’s directing users away from Aussie music
The streaming giant has put a new hub for local music on its Australian homepage, as it claims its algorithm is not to blame for the lack of local hits on the charts.
March
Why customer surveys have finally gone too far
Demands for consumer feedback using impersonal, time-eating, poorly designed questionnaires have gone from bad to out of control.
February
Spotify to launch new music, ticket feature for ‘super fans’
The audio streaming business is set to introduce a super-premium service that includes access to concert tickets for an extra $9.40 a month.
January
How Spotify’s playlists changed the culture of listening
Streambait? Spotify-core? The Swedish streaming giant has birthed genres that a new book argues has taken the edge off modern music.
ARN blasts archaic ownership laws, says it would ‘look at’ Nine Radio
The high-profile media executive says ownership restrictions should be scrapped in a world where local companies are competing against massive global players.
December 2024
Bugger Spotify, I’m going to make my own playlist
Even by the internet’s grim standards, Spotify Wrapped is a wretched gimmick.
We’re all suffering from qualitynesia now
Borne along on the tide of technology, it is far too easy to forget that CD players sounded better than Spotify.
November 2024
ABC chairman cops ‘watch out’ messages after Joe Rogan criticism
Asked what the ABC could learn from Joe Rogan, the most popular podcast presenter on Spotify, ABC chairman Kim Williams didn’t hold back.
Quincy Jones shows why AI will never beat human brilliance
No algorithm will ever have the real life story that is embedded in the work of a great and original artist.
April 2024
How supermarket shoppers became part of a $3.8b gold rush
As supermarkets hunt for new sources of revenues in an age of rising costs and narrowing margins, they have stumbled on one of their most valuable assets: data.
Bonza planes repossessed; CEO-elect quits; BHP rivals emerge
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
How Spotify beat the artist boycotts
Taylor Swift, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Thom Yorke have all pulled their music from the streaming giant. Eventually, all of them gave up.
March 2024
Apple fined $3b by EU for using app store to thwart competition
The penalty, announced by the bloc’s antitrust regulator, is the culmination of a five-year investigation set in motion by one of Apple’s biggest rivals, Spotify.
Swift, Drake silenced in multibillion-dollar fight over AI
Talks between Universal and TikTok have stumbled over money, copyright and use of artificial intelligence.
February 2024
EU hits Apple with $825m fine in Spotify music streaming fight
Apple’s policy of stopping streaming services sending customers away from its App Store for cheaper options elsewhere was against EU law, and Spotify complained.
The 4½-hour podcast you’re missing out on
Spotify says Gen Z want shorter podcast episodes and more lighthearted content, but that hasn’t stopped others listening to 4.5-hour epics featuring Ken Henry.
December 2023
Spotify lays off 1500 staff after podcast spending spree
It’s a gloomy end to the year for employees at the music streaming giant, as 17 per cent of the company has been shown the door.
Harry, Meghan and the pain of relevance deprivation disorder
What happens when you are the world’s most beloved couple but no-one seems interested?
November 2023
Saunas, ice baths and health allowances: Welcome to the next wave of perks
Employers are ramping up their wellbeing offerings after the pandemic left many employees feeling burnt out. Subsidised gym memberships no longer cut it.