Week 5-

Spotify UK revenues surge to almost £190m as mobile subscriptions take off

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/oct/14/spotify-uk-revenues-surge-to-almost-190m-as-mobile-subscriptions-take-off

Revenues at Spotify’s UK business grew to almost £190m last year as subscription income soared by over 40% thanks to music fans flocking to the company’s mobile service.

Spotify, the world’s biggest music streaming service with an $8.5bn (£6.9bn) valuation, saw total UK revenues rise by 18% from £159m to £187.2m last year. 

This was fuelled by a 44% surge in subscription revenues from £119m to £171m. 

“This increase can be attributed to the transition from desktop to mobile as today the majority of new users signing up for Spotify are mobile,” the company said. “2015 was a big year for Spotify and we had some very significant successes. In many ways, it was our best year ever.”

Subscription income accounts for over 90% of Spotify UK’s total revenues, the remainder comes from advertising.

I'm with you on the digital revolution, it's the lack of journalism I can't face

https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2016/oct/11/im-with-you-on-the-digital-revolution-its-the-lack-of-journalism-i-cant-face

Eleven days ago a newspaper serving a small community in the US state of New Hampshire ceased publication after 90 years.

The Citizen, a paid-for title based in Laconia, had been hit by rising production costs. Its publisher tried to sell it, but there were no takers.

Its closure wasn’t too much of a surprise given that Laconia had been the lone city north of Boston served by two local daily papers. So people will still be able to enjoy the freely distributed Laconia Daily Sun.

But the passing of The Citizen prompted Charlie Arlinghaus, a columnist with the New Hampshire Union Leader, to “take a hard look at the myths surrounding newspapers, news and civic engagement.”