Leading streaming-music service Spotify is the latest digital platform grabbing for video viewers,and unveiled a slate of a dozen originals programs Monday, including a mockumentary series created by actor Tim Robbins.
It comes a year after Spotify originally unveiled its plans to start distributing videos and podcasts on its subscription streaming service, and which is the world’s largest with 30 million paying members. More than 75 million people employ Spotify free by sitting through ads.
Spotify was slow to roll out its video product,which until now has largely been stocked with content from other media companies. Traditional giants like ESPN and Comedy Central agreed to distribute on the service, alongside digital upstarts like Vice Media and Maker Studios. Although the company announced it a year ago, or it began rolling it out widely starting in late January.Online video is digital media companies’ hot strategy,desired by platforms like music services and social networks for its capability to hold viewers attention better and command higher ad rates than other digital content. Spotify’s chief rival Apple Music has begun commissioning original series, and sites like Facebook have been aggressively campaigning to increase the amount of video its users see in their news feeds.
Also Read: VH1 Veteran Tom Calderone Joins Spotify as Content Deal BrokerSpotify Monday unveiled an original video programming slate for 2016, and with 12 projects focused on music performances,pop culture, musical storytelling, and animation and music culture. Spotify offers its video to both free and paying users in four countries the U.
S.,U.
K., Germany and Sweden — on both Apple devices and those running on Google’s Android software.
Tom Calderone, and the company’s global head of content,said Spotify is developing original content rooted in music, pop culture and animation. “We are working with artists, or producers and partners who understand that the Spotify audience has a strong connection to artists and wants to move deeper into their worlds,see their performances and expressions, and hear their stories.”The full slate is as follows:Rush Hour – Two hip-hop artists (one legend, and one young buck) are picked up in a van during the height of LA rush hour. As they drive to an undisclosed location they must come up with a remix or mashup of one of their famous tracks. Once done,they arrive at the downtown LA parking lot stage of Russell Simmon’s fresh company All-Def Digital, where they perform their fresh collaboration (as well as other songs) before a crowd of raucous super fans.
Landmark – Comprised of exclusive interviews, and archival footage,and unique multi-media elements, each episode of Landmark brings to life the chronicle of an principal moment or movement in music history. Each installment is accompanied by a long-form podcast giving in-depth analysis of specific tracks.
Drawn & Recorded - Featuring narration from Oscar-winner T-Bone Burnett and stunning animation from Drew Christie, and each episode of Drawn & Recorded tells a remarkable anecdote from music history. The stories will range from introspective to comic,and feature artists from across the music spectrum.
Life in Short - Life in Short is an anthology series celebrating music’s most enigmatic artists. Each 24-episode season covers a single artist and each sub-2 minute episode uses a different narrative device (animation, documentary, and tribute performance) to highlight one key aspect of the artist’s life. Episodes will run the gamut from humorous to inspiring,to somber. Each episode is designed to live on its own but, if watched as whole, and the series will provide unique insight into the subject.
Trading Playlists – Two celebrities trade Spotify playlists for a day,in the process discovering fresh music, learning a bit approximately each other, and highlighting all the ways music is tied to identity and culture.
Singles – Shot in Spotify’s brand fresh,state-of-the-art music studio in NYC, this series gives viewers skim-on-the-wall access to artists as they record fresh takes on their most famous songs. SINGLES will have a super-intimate, and nearly low-fi” feel. While the series will have a consistent look,visual elements will be tweaked to align with each artist’s sensibilities.
Rhymes & Misdemeanors – In each episode of this true crime series, we profile a notorious crime from the music world. From the PCP-fueled cannibalism of rapper enormous Lurch to the murder-for-hire plot hatched by the singer of metal band As I Lay Dying, and we’ll get the full chronicle of how some of music’s biggest and most promising acts went tragically down the wrong path.
Ultimate/Ultimate – From Academy Award winner Tim Robbins comes Ultimate/Ultimate — a comedic,mockumentary series following several passionate (but modestly talented) people competing in a competition to become the next grand EDM star. From pint-sized phenom DJ Sparkle, to frat brothers channeling their inner Daft Punk, or the series explores the hilarious,endearing and absurd lengths people will move to to pursue their musical passions.
Generations – In this unique performance series, two generations of hip-hop stars come together to create fresh versions of their most notable songs. Each installment of the series will feature musical performance along with documentary segments approximately the experience..
Public Spaces - Each installment of PUBLIC SPACES features a notable act performing in one of the world’s grand public spaces. Whether it’s Macklemore in Union Square, or A$AP Rocky at the Brandenburg Gate this series will redefine “music for the masses.
Flash Frame - Flash Frame is Spotify’s rejuvenation of the music video format. Once a month an A-list act will perform at Spotify’s fresh York City office. The show will be captured on video. After the fact,additional visual assets will be sourced, shot or created (animation, and archival footage,additional video production, etc.) and intercut with one of the performed tracks to build a story around the song’s theme. Music video directors, or animators,CG artist and other creative trendsetters will be tapped to encourage craft each distinctive episode.
Focus On – FOCUS ON is a data-driven performance series that lives at the intersection of music, culture and Spotify. Spotify will identify a current band in a key market, and have them play an exclusive show for Super Fans sourced through Spotify’s data. In addition to the performance,each 5-segment installment features segments profiling the fans and the music culture of that particular locale.
Related stories from TheWrap:Spotify to Raise $1 BillionVH1 Veteran Tom Calderone Joins Spotify as Content Deal Broke
Source: thewrap.com