Apple Music Expands to 52 More Countries; Sonos Launches In-House Streaming Service; Livestream Data Shows Surging Online Activity

Apple announced a major expansion of many of its services, most notably that Apple Music will now be available in 52 additional countries, bringing it to 167 total.

Sonos announces Sonos Radio, a free, ad-supported streaming service available exclusively to customers. 

New livestream data from over 8,000 listings on Bandsintown.com shows that artists are spreading across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to stay connected to fans.

Half of Sweden’s biggest domestic hits last year were by independent artists. Covid-19 “could be a big catalyst” for the U.S. and other countries to see similar indie success, music companies say.

New music is the fuel in the streaming engine, creating a virtuous circle of increased label and artist output to meet DSP-stimulated user demand.

Their concert plans on hold, artists like YungBlud and Tinashe are taking their acts online and hoping fans and dollars follow.

Defected Chief Business Officer James Kirkham on “the science” of how the company leverages social media, events, artists and fans to maximum effect

The company’s main business is giving fans paid access to live audio streams of concerts, with a feed taken directly from the venue’s mixing desk.

Apple Music chief Oliver Schusser is taking the top post at Beats headphones, replacing longtime Beats president Luke Wood.

Opera Maine in Portland, Maine is set to present a new web series “Opera in ME.”

NBC Sports Chicago curated a Spotify playlist of Cubs walk-up songs from 2015-19 for your listening pleasure.

GotG director James Gunn just posted the latest mixtape from his MCU hit to Spotify, with songs by artists like Stevie Wonder and more.