Daily Pulse: Watching the Fed, Spotify Goes Netflix, Lyft Pays $12.25M Settlement

Take a hike: Most likely we won't see a new interest rate hike announced in today's policy statement from the Fed. Given the craziness that has dominated the markets in 2016, the Wall Street Journal says "any move or definite signal on interest rates is extremely unlikely." Here are five other things to watch during the 2pm Eastern statement.

Lyft's multi-million dollar victory: Yes, Lyft agreed to settle the proposed class action suit for $12.25 million—but the company is getting off easy. The legal battle, which precedes Uber's trial in June, is about the classification of drivers as employees or independent contractors. In Lyft's settlement, they agree to give drivers some additional benefits, but they'll keep drivers as contractors. This will send up saving the company massive expenses and complications.

"We have not been hearing so many concerns from Lyft drivers, which leads us to believe that Lyft is treating its drivers with more respect than Uber is treating its drivers,” Shannon Liss-Riordan, an attorney for the drivers, told Venture Beat.

Video is so hot right now. Spotify is getting in on the live action. The company has released a new video section in its iOS and Android apps, featuring clips from sources like BBC, ESPN, Comedy Central, Vice News, and Slate. It's almost certainly just the beginning of the streaming service's foray into this world, and the move makes a lot of sense. As MIDiA Research Video Analyst Tim Mulligan notes:

"In some respects Spotify can be viewed as a data company firstly, and only secondly as a music service. Data-driven content already account for much of what the end user sees from listening recommendations to early bird discounts to gigs. Adding video to this mix aligns Spotify with direction of travel of consumer behaviour and represents a lucrative marketing channel for advertisers."

More moves at Twitter: The company isn't done making changes. After announcing the exit of several execs earlier this week, Twitter has also formally named its new CMO: Leslie Berland, formerly EVP of Global Advertising, Marketing and Digital Partnerships at American Express. 

Meanwhile, Twitter's newly-departed product head, Kevin Weil, has announced that he's taking up a similar role at Instagram.

PeriPro: Speaking of Twitter, Periscope has announced a collaboration with GoPro. You can stream live GoPro video on Periscope, or you can stream it from GoPro's Hero4 cameras. I have to steal commentary on this from my esteemed colleague John Abell: "Two companies that have no idea what do to are joining forces."

Cover Photo: FLINT, MI - JANUARY 26: Matt Hopper holds and comforts Nyla Hopper, age 5 of Flint, after she has her blood drawn to be tested for lead on January 26, 2016 at Eisenhower Elementary School in Flint, Michigan. Free lead screenings are performed for Flint children 6-years-old and younger, one of several events sponsored by Molina Healthcare following the city's water contamination and federal state of emergency. 

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What you may have missed — and really should read:

• Lena Dunham explains why "No" will be her go-to word this year
• Mohamed El-Erian on how low gas prices went from a blessing to a curse
• Meg Whitman on Sundance: "Seeing the innovations in the entertainment industry confirms what I’ve said before – that today, every company is a technology company."

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• Missed the last update? Catch up: 'Apple's Good and Not-So-Good News, Trump Targets Pharma, RIP Abe Vigoda (For Real)'
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