Streaming services are increasingly costing consumers more, but it's not just a flash in the pan. Legacy media giants like Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global, and Comcast are transforming their digital strategies from a subscriber gold rush to a revenue-focused approach. Watch in for more details!

Streamers raise prices: What it means for you?

Did we just access some unreleased versions of Lady Gaga’s hit songs this weekend? Listed under her real name, Stefani Germanotta, these unreleased versions of her hit songs made their way to streaming services, much to the surprise of her fans, who couldn't believe their luck.&nbsp;

<h2>Have you heard these unreleased Lady Gaga songs yet?</h2>

The three songs that sound like unreleased versions of songs we’ve heard before are purported different mixes or versions of two previously released songs – &nbsp;“Perfect Illusion” and “Fashion”. This also includes an unreleased 2007 song called "Retro Physical".&nbsp;

Fans who have done some internet digging claim that the 2007 unreleased song is a collaboration with producer Noize Trip which has been making the rounds online for many years. It, however, sounds a lot like a song from her 2008 debut album, The Fame.

The other two sound like early versions of the officially released songs. While the unreleased song which is called “Fashion” is listed as a demo, it plays as a slightly sped-up version of the Gaga song included on 2009’s Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack.&nbsp;

<h1><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-whats-in-the-grammys-luxury-gift-bag-this-year-its-valued-at-a-whopping-36000-684771">What's in the Grammys luxury gift bag? This year, it's valued at a whopping $36,000</a></h1>

Some even feel that these don’t strike them as leaks but the doings of Artificial Intelligence. Users speculate that they feel that the “Perfect Illusion” demo was made with AI.

The tracks were uploaded in late January, some nine days ago by a person called UnreleasedSongs. It also claims that they have the copyright to these songs. Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/growing-calls-for-change-in-law-as-taylor-swift-gets-embroiled-in-cyber-attack-684676">Growing calls for change in law as Taylor Swift gets embroiled in cyber attack</a>

The songs are posted on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.

We wonder what Lady Gaga has to say about this.

Did we just access some unreleased versions of Lady Gaga’s hit songs this weekend? Listed under her real name, Stefani Germanotta, these unreleased versions of her hit songs made their way to streaming services, much to the surprise of her fans, who couldn't believe their luck.

Did we just access some unreleased versions of Lady Gaga’s hit songs this weekend? Listed under her real name, Stefani Germanotta, these unreleased versions of her hit songs made their way to streaming services, much to the surprise of her fans, who couldn't believe their luck. Have you heard these unreleased Lady Gaga songs yet? The three songs that sound like unreleased versions of songs we’ve heard before are purported different mixes or versions of two previously released songs – “Perfect Illusion” and “Fashion”. This also includes an unreleased 2007 song called "Retro Physical". Fans who have done some internet digging claim that the 2007 unreleased song is a collaboration with producer Noize Trip which has been making the rounds online for many years. It, however, sounds a lot like a song from her 2008 debut album, The Fame. The other two sound like early versions of the officially released songs. While the unreleased song which is called “Fashion” is listed as a demo, it plays as a slightly sped-up version of the Gaga song included on 2009’s Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack. What's in the Grammys luxury gift bag? This year, it's valued at a whopping $36,000 Some even feel that these don’t strike them as leaks but the doings of Artificial Intelligence. Users speculate that they feel that the “Perfect Illusion” demo was made with AI. The tracks were uploaded in late January, some nine days ago by a person called UnreleasedSongs. It also claims that they have the copyright to these songs. Also read: Growing calls for change in law as Taylor Swift gets embroiled in cyber attack The songs are posted on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. We wonder what Lady Gaga has to say about this.

Three unreleased songs under Lady Gaga’s real name leak on streamers

In a shocking incident in Brussels, Belgium, a Thai Twitch streamer named Ppim became the target of a racist slur while streaming an "IRL" (In Real Life) session. The streamer was confronted by a group of individuals who deliberately greeted her in "Chinese" and made racial comments, aiming to mock her based on her Asian ethnicity.

Ppim was live-streaming on Twitch in Brussels when the distressing incident occurred.&nbsp;

As she was walking in Brussels, a few miscreants approached her and used the phrase "Ni hao," typically associated with the Chinese language, with the clear intent to ridicule her. Unwilling to tolerate such behavior, Ppim immediately addressed the miscreants on her live stream.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-will-join-nato-putin-has-lost-the-war-biden-in-helsinki-615245">Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki</a>

She courageously confronted them saying she was not from China, and urged them to educate themselves about different cultures and ethnicities.&nbsp;

A derogatory racial remark directed at Ppim provoked her anger leading to a swift response.&nbsp;In a video capturing the incident, Ppim can be seen confronting the individuals who had used the phrase "Ni hao" in a disrespectful manner.

In a strong and assertive tone, she expressed her frustration, and said that she does not hail from China but rather from Thailand.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-at-white-house-secret-service-ends-probe-without-identifying-suspect-615229">Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect</a>

Her passionate reaction seen in the video clearly shows her refusal to tolerate such offensive behaviour.

"Ni hao. F**k you. I am not from China. I am from Thailand man. You f**king educate. Not everybody is from China. F**k you. You f**king bi*ch," Ppim can be seen&nbsp;saying in the video.&nbsp;

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Twitch streamer live-streaming racism she experienced in Belgium. <a href="https://t.co/PeAuaeJPKf">pic.twitter.com/PeAuaeJPKf</a>
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In addition to the racial slur, the video footage also revealed a disturbing moment when one of the men made an inappropriate attempt to touch Ppim, further compounding the distressing nature of the incident.

Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine

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This incident, in a broader sense, sheds light on the persisting issue of racial discrimination faced by individuals of Asian descent.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, as racial abuses continue to plague various aspects of society.&nbsp;

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In a shocking incident in Brussels, Belgium, a Thai Twitch streamer named Ppim became the target of a racist slur while streaming an "IRL" (In Real Life) session.

In a shocking incident in Brussels, Belgium, a Thai Twitch streamer named Ppim became the target of a racist slur while streaming an "IRL" (In Real Life) session. The streamer was confronted by a group of individuals who deliberately greeted her in "Chinese" and made racial comments, aiming to mock her based on her Asian ethnicity. Ppim was live-streaming on Twitch in Brussels when the distressing incident occurred. As she was walking in Brussels, a few miscreants approached her and used the phrase "Ni hao," typically associated with the Chinese language, with the clear intent to ridicule her. Unwilling to tolerate such behavior, Ppim immediately addressed the miscreants on her live stream. Also Read | Ukraine 'will join NATO', Putin has 'lost the war': Biden in Helsinki She courageously confronted them saying she was not from China, and urged them to educate themselves about different cultures and ethnicities. A derogatory racial remark directed at Ppim provoked her anger leading to a swift response. In a video capturing the incident, Ppim can be seen confronting the individuals who had used the phrase "Ni hao" in a disrespectful manner. In a strong and assertive tone, she expressed her frustration, and said that she does not hail from China but rather from Thailand. Also Read | Cocaine at White House: Secret Service ends probe without finding suspect Her passionate reaction seen in the video clearly shows her refusal to tolerate such offensive behaviour. "Ni hao. F**k you. I am not from China. I am from Thailand man. You f**king educate. Not everybody is from China. F**k you. You f**king bi*ch," Ppim can be seen saying in the video. Twitch streamer live-streaming racism she experienced in Belgium. pic.twitter.com/PeAuaeJPKf — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) July 13, 2023 × In addition to the racial slur, the video footage also revealed a disturbing moment when one of the men made an inappropriate attempt to touch Ppim, further compounding the distressing nature of the incident. Watch | Russian general says top military brass betrayed soldiers fighting in Ukraine × This incident, in a broader sense, sheds light on the persisting issue of racial discrimination faced by individuals of Asian descent. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case, as racial abuses continue to plague various aspects of society. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

WATCH | Thai Twitch streamer subjected to racist abuse in Belgium, confronts miscreants on live stream

Africa, with its internationally recognised musical talent - and growing mobile phone use - is central to Swedish music streamer Spotify's plans to extend its reach to a billion customers.

As African artists such as Nigeria's Burna Boy and South Africa's Black Coffee are streamed across the world, the continent was seen as an obvious choice and is the home to more than a third of the company's 85 new markets.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/african-regional-bloc-loses-92-per-cent-tourism-earnings-due-to-covid-419833">African regional bloc loses 92 per cent tourism earnings due to Covid</a>

The problem is payment on a continent where many people are more likely to have a mobile phone than a bank account.

That means Spotify's first task as it implements a plan announced in February to almost double its footprint is to win over the telecom companies that often equate to banks.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify's head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, told Reuters the company secured "alternative payment methods", namely M-Pesa, when it moved into Kenya in February.

Owned by Kenya's biggest telecoms operator, Safaricom, M-Pesa is used to send money, save, borrow and make payments for goods and services.

"A lot of African countries are unbanked so that means they don't use credit cards and this is very true for a lot of east African (countries) and in Kenya use M-Pesa for the most part," Okumu said. Elsewhere in Africa, Spotify is seeking other collaborators.

"We are having conversations with the right partners to ensure that we are providing solutions to payment problems that several African consumers face in different parts of the continent," Okumu said.

&nbsp;Chasing the mobile money

Irene Kophen, a Spotify premium user based in Kenya, said she prefers M-Pesa rather than bank cards because she thinks mobile money has made music more accessible.

"Most of us have access to our phones, but not many of us have cards, or bank accounts," the 31-year-old told Reuters.

Costs associated with opening bank accounts, the distance to financial institutions and the difficulty in meeting "Know Your Customers" requirements because of inadequate proof of address&nbsp;have added to the appeal of using phones to pay.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-transport-minister-mulls-a-law-replacing-vehicle-horns-with-indian-musical-instruments-418373">Indian Transport minister mulls a law replacing vehicle horns with Indian musical instruments</a>

"The past few years have seen an emphasis on shifting towards expansion of innovative banking services through mobile technology to capture lower income segments and the unbanked," a spokesperson for South Africa's Absa bank said in an emailed statement.

By 2020, sub-Saharan Africa had 548 million mobile money accounts, up 12 per cent&nbsp;from 2019 - more than any other region in the world, mobile industry body GSMA said.

That has provided banking access in a continent where about 43 per cent&nbsp; of sub-Saharan Africans over the age of 15 had a bank account in 2017, according to the World Bank, which has not provided any more recent data.

Win, win

Spotify's local rivals, such as Kenya-based and Danish-listed Mdundo and Nigeria headquartered Boomplay have also started to build ties with mobile operators.

Such partnerships are based on telcom providers selling music bundles that give customers access to a streaming company's premium service and exclusively-curated music mixes.

The collaboration can benefit both sides by boosting revenue and helping to increase subscribers, but for the streaming companies it is all-but essential. 
&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/african-cinema-could-create-20-mn-jobs-unesco-418269">African cinema could create 20 mn jobs: UNESCO</a>

"It is critical that streaming companies get this right, otherwise they will lose out on revenue from consumers who were willing, but unable, to pay them," Charles Stuart, PwC partner and director of Technology, Media and Telecommunications, said.

For the telecom companies, which also include Airtel Nigeria and Vodacom Tanzania, the partnership can help to achieve customer "loyalty and stickiness" by adding value, Stuart said.

MTN, Africa's largest mobile operator with 48.9 million active mobile money users, is integrating its mobile money service onto its MusicTime app to allow payments, Serigne Dioum, group chief digital and fintech officer of MTN, told Reuters.

"We're talking to players who are music-only players and also we're talking to players who have broader reach in music, video and gaming and who can position our digital services much better," MTN's Dioum said.

Boomplay, which has 60 million monthly active users, has allowed users to pay via mobile platforms such as M-Pesa and Tigo-Pesa in Kenya and Tanzania.

It aims to roll out that option in Francophone countries, Tosin Sorinola, Boomplay's director of artiste and media relations, told Reuters.

Mdundo, which had 8.7 million monthly active users as of June, has three telecom partnerships in Nigeria and Tanzania, and expects one or two more similar deals before the end of this year, Chief Executive Officer Martin Nielsen told Reuters.

"When it comes to payments across Africa our key focus is bundling with telcos because telcos are the ones who have this reach and access to people's pockets," he said.

Africa, with its internationally recognised musical talent - and growing mobile phone use - is central to Swedish music streamer Spotify's plans to extend its reach to a billion customers.

Africa, with its internationally recognised musical talent - and growing mobile phone use - is central to Swedish music streamer Spotify's plans to extend its reach to a billion customers. As African artists such as Nigeria's Burna Boy and South Africa's Black Coffee are streamed across the world, the continent was seen as an obvious choice and is the home to more than a third of the company's 85 new markets. Also Read | African regional bloc loses 92 per cent tourism earnings due to Covid The problem is payment on a continent where many people are more likely to have a mobile phone than a bank account. That means Spotify's first task as it implements a plan announced in February to almost double its footprint is to win over the telecom companies that often equate to banks. Phiona Okumu, Spotify's head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, told Reuters the company secured "alternative payment methods", namely M-Pesa, when it moved into Kenya in February. Owned by Kenya's biggest telecoms operator, Safaricom, M-Pesa is used to send money, save, borrow and make payments for goods and services. "A lot of African countries are unbanked so that means they don't use credit cards and this is very true for a lot of east African (countries) and in Kenya use M-Pesa for the most part," Okumu said. Elsewhere in Africa, Spotify is seeking other collaborators. "We are having conversations with the right partners to ensure that we are providing solutions to payment problems that several African consumers face in different parts of the continent," Okumu said. Chasing the mobile money Irene Kophen, a Spotify premium user based in Kenya, said she prefers M-Pesa rather than bank cards because she thinks mobile money has made music more accessible. "Most of us have access to our phones, but not many of us have cards, or bank accounts," the 31-year-old told Reuters. Costs associated with opening bank accounts, the distance to financial institutions and the difficulty in meeting "Know Your Customers" requirements because of inadequate proof of address have added to the appeal of using phones to pay. Also Read | Indian Transport minister mulls a law replacing vehicle horns with Indian musical instruments "The past few years have seen an emphasis on shifting towards expansion of innovative banking services through mobile technology to capture lower income segments and the unbanked," a spokesperson for South Africa's Absa bank said in an emailed statement. By 2020, sub-Saharan Africa had 548 million mobile money accounts, up 12 per cent from 2019 - more than any other region in the world, mobile industry body GSMA said. That has provided banking access in a continent where about 43 per cent of sub-Saharan Africans over the age of 15 had a bank account in 2017, according to the World Bank, which has not provided any more recent data. Win, win Spotify's local rivals, such as Kenya-based and Danish-listed Mdundo and Nigeria headquartered Boomplay have also started to build ties with mobile operators. Such partnerships are based on telcom providers selling music bundles that give customers access to a streaming company's premium service and exclusively-curated music mixes. The collaboration can benefit both sides by boosting revenue and helping to increase subscribers, but for the streaming companies it is all-but essential. Also Read | African cinema could create 20 mn jobs: UNESCO "It is critical that streaming companies get this right, otherwise they will lose out on revenue from consumers who were willing, but unable, to pay them," Charles Stuart, PwC partner and director of Technology, Media and Telecommunications, said. For the telecom companies, which also include Airtel Nigeria and Vodacom Tanzania, the partnership can help to achieve customer "loyalty and stickiness" by adding value, Stuart said. MTN, Africa's largest mobile operator with 48.9 million active mobile money users, is integrating its mobile money service onto its MusicTime app to allow payments, Serigne Dioum, group chief digital and fintech officer of MTN, told Reuters. "We're talking to players who are music-only players and also we're talking to players who have broader reach in music, video and gaming and who can position our digital services much better," MTN's Dioum said. Boomplay, which has 60 million monthly active users, has allowed users to pay via mobile platforms such as M-Pesa and Tigo-Pesa in Kenya and Tanzania. It aims to roll out that option in Francophone countries, Tosin Sorinola, Boomplay's director of artiste and media relations, told Reuters. Mdundo, which had 8.7 million monthly active users as of June, has three telecom partnerships in Nigeria and Tanzania, and expects one or two more similar deals before the end of this year, Chief Executive Officer Martin Nielsen told Reuters. "When it comes to payments across Africa our key focus is bundling with telcos because telcos are the ones who have this reach and access to people's pockets," he said.

Music streamers turn to telcos to make Africa pay

Netflix and Amazon bagged more than half the film nominations chosen by Hollywood's top producers Monday, tightening the streaming platforms' grip on an awards season turned upside-down by the pandemic.

Six of the 10 movies shortlisted by the Producers Guild of America were released by streamers -- up from two last year -- as movie theaters only begin to reopen in New York and remain closed in Los Angeles after a year of Covid-19 restrictions.

Netflix's courtroom drama "The Trial of the Chicago 7" is seen as the streaming giant's best shot at top awards glory, and is joined on the list by "Mank" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

Amazon, which failed to land a nomination last year, has Golden Globe-winning comedy sequel "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," as well as "One Night in Miami" and "Sound of Metal."

Neither company has ever won the top prize at the PGAs or the season-crowning Oscars.

The prestigious PGAs, chosen by the 8,000-odd Hollywood movers and shakers of the producers' union, have predicted 10 of the past 13 winners of the Academy Award for best picture.

In a year that saw major studios postpone several big-hitting titles, intimate US road movie "Nomadland" from Disney-owned Searchlight leads the charge for Hollywood's traditional powerhouses, winning the Golden Globes' top prize last month and earning a PGA nod.

Warner is represented on the list by "Judas and the Black Messiah" and Universal by "Promising Young Woman."

Korean-American immigrant drama "Minari" from A24 is the only indie-label movie to make the cut.

And notable absences included western "News of the World" starring Tom Hanks and Spike Lee's "Da 5 Bloods."

The PGAs also honor television, with newcomers such as "Bridgerton" and "Ted Lasso" joining perennial favorites including "The Crown" on the shortlists.

Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on March 24, around a month before the delayed Oscars.

Netflix and Amazon bagged more than half the film nominations chosen by Hollywood's top producers Monday, tightening the streaming platforms' grip on an awards season turned upside-down by the pandemic.

Netflix and Amazon bagged more than half the film nominations chosen by Hollywood's top producers Monday, tightening the streaming platforms' grip on an awards season turned upside-down by the pandemic. Six of the 10 movies shortlisted by the Producers Guild of America were released by streamers -- up from two last year -- as movie theaters only begin to reopen in New York and remain closed in Los Angeles after a year of Covid-19 restrictions. Netflix's courtroom drama "The Trial of the Chicago 7" is seen as the streaming giant's best shot at top awards glory, and is joined on the list by "Mank" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Amazon, which failed to land a nomination last year, has Golden Globe-winning comedy sequel "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," as well as "One Night in Miami" and "Sound of Metal." Neither company has ever won the top prize at the PGAs or the season-crowning Oscars. The prestigious PGAs, chosen by the 8,000-odd Hollywood movers and shakers of the producers' union, have predicted 10 of the past 13 winners of the Academy Award for best picture. In a year that saw major studios postpone several big-hitting titles, intimate US road movie "Nomadland" from Disney-owned Searchlight leads the charge for Hollywood's traditional powerhouses, winning the Golden Globes' top prize last month and earning a PGA nod. Warner is represented on the list by "Judas and the Black Messiah" and Universal by "Promising Young Woman." Korean-American immigrant drama "Minari" from A24 is the only indie-label movie to make the cut. And notable absences included western "News of the World" starring Tom Hanks and Spike Lee's "Da 5 Bloods." The PGAs also honor television, with newcomers such as "Bridgerton" and "Ted Lasso" joining perennial favorites including "The Crown" on the shortlists. Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on March 24, around a month before the delayed Oscars.

Streamers tighten grip on Hollywood with producer award nods

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