There are always more subscription company headlines each week than we can write about in our daily posts or share on our social media channels. Here are some of the latest updates on subscription companies in the news.YouTube extends beta period for its Music Key subscription service until September (The Verge)Last fall we reported that YouTube was developing Music Key, a premium subscription service, to allow music lovers the chance to stream high-quality music and videos without advertising. Six months later, YouTube is still fine-tuning its service with user input as a basis for many of its improvements. The company told beta testers last week that it will extend the free beta period until September 15. Zuora acquires analytics to broaden subscription appeal (Diginomica)On the heels of its launch of RBM Connect, a relationship business management marketplace for subscription companies, Zuora is in the news again – this time acquiring Frontleaf, a customer usage analytics startup. With this acquisition, Zuora is launching a second major product line called Z-insights to provide customer analytics, including demographics, spend and recurring revenue value, market segmentation and more. How Sony or Microsoft could use subscription to win video games (TechCrunch)It seems that Microsoft is always making headlines, this time in an interesting TechCrunch article about blending gaming subscriptions with other revenue opportunities. Microsoft currently has a free games option with its Xbox Games with Gold, but the TechCrunch author suggests that Microsoft blend an annual subscription with additional fees for purchasing access or ownership of a game. In this model, gamers get products and features they want, Microsoft adds another revenue stream, and game developers would get residual income based on player analytics, similar to movie and music royalties. Click here for our April post about Microsoft’s Work & Play Bundle, which could somehow play into this blended subscription model. Pun intended. The science behind Netflix’s first major redesign in four years (The Verge)In June, Netflix will unveil a major redesign to make scrolling through program choices easier. More importantly, Netflix is using customer data, focus groups and email surveys to identify who will watch what. It is using that data to hone in on personalized options for users to learn what they like based on viewing patterns more so than on what users say they like. For additional Netflix news, visit our news page. Spotify takes on Apple and YouTube: 5 things you need to know about the streaming wars (Bloomberg Business)Earlier this month, we reported the news that Spotify’s Q1 ad revenue was off the charts, and the streaming music service was launching additional features so brands could better target Spotify audiences. Spotify isn’t stopping there though. It is adding videos and podcasts, playlists according to mood, and more customized features, including one that can find a track with a beat that matches your pace when walking, running or working out. Are these new features enough to differentiate Spotify from the competition? Want to stay up-to-date on subscription industry headlines? Visit our news page and sign up for our weekly newsletter to have headlines like these delivered straight to your inbox every Friday! You can also follow us on Twitter or “like” us on Facebook.~ The Subscription Insider Team