Spotify has entered 2018 with a bang. Yesterday, news broke that Spotify was being hit with a $1.6 billion lawsuit. Then today, AXIOS reported that Spotify had filed IPO documents with the SEC at the end of December. The two journalists who broke these stories join Cheddar to break down the news and what's in store for Spotify.
Dan Primack of AXIOS explains that the company is pursuing a direct listing. This creates a unique path for the tech company that is distinctly different from the traditional IPO path. Primack reports that Spotify is targeting a Q1 public offering, and based on their current timeline, he thinks it is possible.
Eriq Gardner is the senior editor at The Hollywood Reporter and he broke the $1.6 billion lawsuit story. He reports that Spotify was sued by Wixen Music Publishing Inc last week for allegedly using thousands of songs without a license and proper compensation. Some of the artists under Wixen Publishing include Tom Petty, Neil Young, and the Doors. Gardner was not surprised by the lawsuit. He says that many record labels are fans of the music streaming company because they have deals that could lead to billions of dollars if the company goes public. However, as current law stands, music publishers have not benefitted from the rise in popularity of Spotify. This is why he was not surprised by the lawsuit.
Paul Dergarabedian, Head of Marketplace Trends for Comscore, joins to discuss Disney earnings, industry leadership shifts and the 2026 box office outlook today.
The new space race isn't about just astronauts, it's about data. Hawkeye 360 CEO John Serafini on satellites, national security, and the company's recent IPO.
Voyager Technologies CEO Dylan Taylor discusses the booming commercial space race, NASA partnerships, defense tech, and building the future beyond Earth.
Inflation is outrunning growth, squeezing consumers and raising fear of a summer slowdown as high rates and sticky prices test spending and markets today now.
TIME's editorial director Emma Barker unpacks the 2026 100 Most Influential Companies list, spotlighting trends, AI impact, surprises, and leadership shifts.
From dire wolves to new species targets, scientists at Colossal Biosciences are using gene editing to revive extinction and reshape biodiversity as we know it.
