UNLIMITED SUPPLY with Digital Music News Earnings drag us back in, Tencent lights the way, and the squeals of NFL Swifties.
Aug 13, 2025
Tencent Music showcases impressive subscription growth, even with falling user numbers. Taylor Swift teases a new album through a podcast, grabbing headlines alongside the Jonas Brothers celebrating their TikTok milestone. The influence of social media on viral music trends is explored, emphasizing how independent artists thrive with sponsorship support. Plus, insights into TikTok's record-breaking livestreaming draw attention to the intersection of music and digital innovation.
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Tencent's Monetization Over User Growth
- Tencent grew revenue while MAUs fell because it converted more users to paid tiers.
- Their Super VIP tier (12% of users) bundles audio quality, early ticket access, exclusives, and merch to boost monetization.
Follow Tencent's Premium-Tier Playbook
- Expect Spotify, Apple, and Amazon to emulate Tencent's premium tier experiments.
- Follow Tencent's lead and consider premium bundles like higher sound quality to lift ARPU.
Podcasting Propels Radio Company's Results
- iHeart eked out modest revenue growth but stronger podcasting gains.
- Podcasting grew 28% year-over-year and raised EBITDA despite radio declines.