that “writing about the track is like dancing about structure” has been ascribed to Elvis Costello, Laurie Anderson and Thelonious Monk, amongst others. Undaunted, in “Why You Like It” Nolan Gasser tries to provide an explanation for the ineffable ways tune produces sensations in listeners’ brains: its energy to move humans to tears, evoke awe and result in involuntary toe-tapping. Plus the abnormal proclivity of unhappy songs to appear uplifting.
Amazon disclosed on Friday that it spent $1.7 billion on video and song content material within the first quarter, imparting a brand new range that buyers have formerly been compelled to expect.
Investments in video and song, which are blanketed in Amazon’s Prime membership program, extended 13% from $1.Five billion a 12 months in advance, Amazon said in its quarterly financial filing. That translates to more or less $7 billion for the whole 12 months.
Amazon is competing with Netflix, Hulu and a bunch of other streaming services at the video facet, and in tune goes up in opposition to services furnished by Apple, Spotify and others. Unlike those corporations, Amazon wraps them into a broader annual subscription plan, taking gain of its dominance in e-commerce and client demand for fast transport. Prime contributors usually pay $119 12 months.
“It’s an area we’re very excited about,” stated Dave Fildes, Amazon’s director of investor members of the family, on Thursday’s earnings name with analysts. “Look for us to continue to invest there.”
The $7 billion spend for this yr, if that’s wherein it finally ends up, exceeds earlier estimates by using some analysts, and will raise questions on the effectiveness of the investments, as Amazon has told shareholders that it expects to ramp up spending in other areas like physical stores and grocery delivery. Amazon announced on Thursday a new $800 million funding in rushing up shipping for Prime members
