TikTok Music Shutting Down Its Streaming Services

Sep 25 2024

ByteDance-owned TikTok has announced the shutdown of its music streaming service, TikTok Music, effective by the end of November. Users have until October 28th to transfer playlists to other services and until November 28th to request refunds for unused subscription periods. A statement on the TikTok Music website confirms the permanent nature of the closure, with all user data set to be deleted.

TikTok’s global head of music business development, Ole Obermann, cited the company’s intention to focus on enhancing TikTok’s influence in music streaming through partnerships, rather than operating its own service. Despite this, the specific reasons behind the shutdown were not disclosed.

Launched in 2022, TikTok Music replaced ByteDance’s Resso in Brazil and Indonesia in 2023, offering lower subscription fees compared to Spotify. However, weak adoption rates and potential licensing challenges may have contributed to its closure. The service’s discontinuation comes after a round of layoffs in August 2023 and a licensing dispute earlier this year with Universal Music Group.

While TikTok Music is closing, TikTok continues to expand its music initiatives, including the recent addition of a Bandcamp channel, as the company faces other challenges, including a possible ban in the United States.

#MaltaDaily

Mozart Literally Dropping New Tracks: Manuscript Discovered

New Mozart Dropping Soon as Manuscripts Discovered

Sep 25 2024

Over 230 years after his death, a new composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been discovered. The piece, dating back to the mid-to-late 1760s, was found in a Leipzig, Germany library. It consists of seven short movements designed for a string trio and runs for about 12 minutes. This remarkable find, dubbed “Ganz kleine Nachtmusik” (Very Little Night Music), highlights the genius of a young Mozart who was just beginning to demonstrate his prodigious talent.

The manuscript, believed to be a copy made around 1780, was uncovered by researchers working on the Köchel catalog, a comprehensive collection of Mozart’s works. The piece was performed for the first time in 260 years on September 19th in Salzburg, Austria, coinciding with the launch of the updated Köchel catalog. The German premiere is scheduled to take place at the Leipzig Opera soon. This discovery is significant, as it adds to the rich collection of Mozart’s chamber music, many of which were thought lost.

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Minister Meets Malta Junior Eurovision Song Winner

Sep 25 2024

Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici had the chance to meet with Ramires Sciberras, the winner of Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

The young winner won with his song ‘Stilla Ċkejkna’, and will thus be representing our country in Madrid this November.

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A post shared by Owen Bonnici (@bonnicio)

The Minister asked him about the experience, with personality Gordon Bonello explaining that this is the 1st song in Maltese to represent since 1971.

The minister said that this was a massive appeal for the public, and even joked with Ramires about singing alongside him.

Good luck Ramires!

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Local Taking UEFA Pro Course Alongside International Names

Sep 25 2024

Local coach and founder at The Player Lab Andrei Agius will be undertaking a new journey in his career as he travels to Italy to undertake the UEFA PRO course.

The course aims to provide participants with professional development to take their coaching career to the next level – and among them are the likes of Marek Hamsik.

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A post shared by Andrei Agius (@andrei_agius20)

Hamsik is a Slovak football coach and former player who’s helped his country qualify for their first ever FIFA World Up.

He also led his nation to European Championship qualification for the first time in 2016, as well as winning several individual awards.

‘Im constantly striving to learn new things, challenge my ideas and understand where football is heading’, wrote Andrei. ‘Honoured and humbled to have made it once again in the best coaching university in the word for my last coaching licence.’

Good luck Andrei!

#MaltaDaily