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.
Abrar Al-Heeti, Tech Reporter at CNET, explains what will happen if and when the TikTok app is banned in the United States. Plus, who may buy it? Watch!
Chris Lafakis, Director at Moody's Analytics, discusses how home insurance may change as a result of the devastation in California brought on by the LA fires.
Brian Rosen, Founder and CEO of InvestBev, discusses what the Surgeon General’s new Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk means for the adult beverage business.
Damage from the Los Angeles inferno is setting records—and it's not over. Plus, rate-cut drama, the battle over Greenland, and Zuckerberg bends the knee.
Watch Duty CEO, John Mills, talks to Cheddar about how the app works, how it helps people in real time and how people can donate to help those affected.
JP Richardson, CEO at Exodus, discusses bringing Exodus public, his thoughts on the future of crypto markets, and tips to take the first steps into the space.
Jonathan Alter, journalist and author, discusses Trump's threats to take back the Panama Canal, unraveling foreign policy work done by Jimmy Carter in 1978.
