News and Trends

MBW's Trailblazers series meets 1916 Enterprises Partner Ruchir Mohan, and Yung Lan a producer, songwriter and founder of Milan Publishing/Production Group Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-industry-often-prioritizes-quick-results-but-true-development-takes-patience/

Crispin Hunt, President of the PRS Members’ Council, says that submitting a setlist for every gig should be as standard as a soundcheck – and argues that it is a collective responsibility… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/setlist-reporting-isnt-an-optional-extra-its-a-fundamental-part-of-the-live-music-economy/

AI might be sending seismic tremors through the music industry, but, says Sammy Andrews, it is also exposing some pretty severe fault lines that already existed… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/metadata-is-the-industrys-weak-spot-in-the-age-of-ai-the-cost-of-half-measures-is-far-higher/

Zelanko joins ASCAP after more than two decades in senior roles at Paramount Global Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/marc-zelanko-appointed-chief-of-staff-at-ascap/

The DIY music distribution company says it has handed out 50,000 automated royalty advances since launching the service in 2019. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/amuse-has-paid-10m-in-advances-to-diy-artists-via-its-ai-powered-fast-forward-platform/

The company argued that removing certain claims would let courts focus on whether training AI models on copyrighted music qualifies as fair use. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-pushes-to-narrow-copyright-lawsuit-against-artist-led-group-cites-fair-use-defense/

JPMorgan analysts estimated that a $1 monthly increase in the US would add about $500 million to Spotify's annual revenue, the Financial Times reported. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-plans-us-price-hike-in-q1-2026-report/

Statement of Objections issued by the EC represents a formal escalation in the investigation into the transaction Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-receives-statement-of-objections-from-eu-over-775m-downtown-deal1/

The integration with TuneMyMusic will let users copy their playlists from outside platforms directly into their Spotify libraries. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-rolls-out-feature-that-lets-users-transfer-playlists-from-rival-music-services/

Seven bidders participated in an auction that pushed TikTok's valuation up by 45% from the initial price of up to $360 billion. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tiktok-owner-bytedances-valuation-hits-480bn-after-share-sale-report/

MBW kicks of a series of features showcasing this year’s Vevo DSCVR Artists To Watch Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/vevo-dscvr-artists-to-watch-2026-sienna-spiro-alessi-rose-aron-bay-swag/

Users can adjust a slider to increase or decrease the amount of AI content they see. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tiktok-is-testing-limiting-ai-generated-content-in-user-feeds/

The deal includes publishing and master recording rights to works that include the 1981 hit "Key Largo". Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/reservoir-acquires-bertie-higgins-catalog/

the new capital will go towards investing in direct-to-fan services, artist-centric technologies, and developing new partnership Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/atc-group-raises-11m-appoints-james-patterson-as-coo-as-it-plans-new-stock-market-listing/

Warner Music Group has issued its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2025 (calendar Q3 – the company’s fiscal Q4). Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/wmg-generated-1-87bn-in-calendar-q3-2025-as-artist-services-expanded-rights-revenue-soars-64-3-yoy-driven-by-oasis-merch1/

Blog post arrived just hours after WMG struck two key AI deals with Udio and Stability AI Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-will-be-reading-robert-kyncls-new-blog-post-very-closely-as-wmg-ceo-vows-to-legislate-litigate-license-in-the-era-of-ai-music-creation/

Bloomberg reports that the EC is preparing a 'statement of objections' over the deal Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/eu-to-issue-formal-warning-over-umgs-775m-downtown-acquisition/

Exec is a the former CEO of CD Baby and ex-Chief Commercial Officer of Downtown Music Holdings Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tracy-maddux-appointed-interim-ceo-at-beatbread/

Audiobooks are now available to listeners in Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Monaco as well Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-expands-audiobooks-to-5-more-european-countries-including-its-home-market-sweden/

Musixmatch's new AI-powered Music Lens tool is 'built for - not on - the industry' Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/musixmatch-launches-music-lens-an-ai-agent-that-transforms-catalogs-into-actionable-insights-for-publishers-labels-and-creators/

MBW’s World Leaders series meets Seon Jeong Shin, President of HYBE's flagship record label BIGHIT MUSIC Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/meet-bts-label-boss-seon-jeong-shin-the-exec-steering-the-k-pop-superstars-unprecedented-return/

Profits from sales of the album donated to the charity, Help Musicians Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/paul-mccartney-adds-track-to-vinyl-version-of-silent-album-protesting-uk-ai-copyright-law-proposal/

TIDAL is launching a contest that will award $100,000 each for 10 artists whose work get playlisted among TIDAL Upload's headliners. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tidal-opens-direct-uploads-for-indie-artists-but-tracks-wont-earn-royalties/

The partnership promises to “make it easier for developers to integrate high-quality, fully-licensed song clips through a secure, scalable system.” Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-strikes-deal-with-feed-fm-to-supply-licensed-music-clips-for-apps/

Nigul will lead WMG’s technology strategy, team, and product roadmap, reporting to CEO Robert Kyncl Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/leho-nigul-promoted-to-chief-technology-officer-at-wmg-as-ariel-bardin-exits-after-three-years/

The partnership aims to expand Avalon’s reach across North Africa and develop local artists. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-music-strikes-partnership-with-the-netherlands-avalon-music-spanning-ar-marketing-and-strategic-investment/

Nina Carter has been elevated to Executive Director, Partnerships & Events. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bmi-makes-string-of-promotions-within-creative-team/

The platform's community of 185,000 artists and labels will be able to buy into the company for as little as £15 ($19.68). Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/unhurd-valued-at-11-8m-opens-crowdfunding-campaign-after-seven-figure-funding-round/

Move leaves question mark over who will take over as boss of BMG when Coesfeld is promoted in 2027 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/thomas-coesfeld-to-become-ceo-and-chairman-of-bmgs-parent-bertelsmann/

He will succeed Jeremy Sirota, who is stepping down by the end of the year, after nearly two decades at the company. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/charlie-lexton-appointed-ceo-of-merlin/

As a result of the pact, Jeremy Ford, Adam Beyer’s longtime manager, becomes Senior Vice President of Electronic for Milk & Honey globally Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/milk-honey-expands-in-uk-adding-bigfoot-music-management-and-clients/

The deal doesn’t resolve US music publishers’ dispute with Spotify over mechanical rights, but does offer a new source of revenue for rightsholders Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-nmpa-strike-deal-to-expand-direct-licensing-audiovisual-opportunities-for-independent-publishers-in-the-us/

The firm is expanding its artist and label services across US and European markets. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/giorgio-dambrosio-appointed-ceo-of-amuse-music-distributor-adds-firebird-executive-to-board/

Court in Germany finds that ChatGPT violates copyright laws through its unauthorized use of song lyrics Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/gema-wins-landmark-ruling-against-openai-over-chatgpts-use-of-song-lyrics/

A monster quarter for major, with streaming revenues in recorded music up 12% YoY, and streaming revenues in music publishing up 25% YoY Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-generated-2-89b-from-recorded-music-and-publishing-in-calendar-q3-2025-up-13-3-yoy/

London-based exec to work across UK & US teams to 'sign and 'develop transatlantic talent' Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jeremy-vuernick-joins-atlantic-music-group-in-london-based-evp-role-to-sign-and-develop-artists-with-global-potential/

Weverse had 11.6 million monthly active users, up by +700,000 from the 10.9 million recorded in Q2 202. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bts-label-hybe-generated-over-half-a-billion-dollars-in-q3-as-concert-revenues-surge-231-yoy/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-suno-getting-sued-by-koda-to-live-nations-8-5bn-in-q3-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

The agreement continues a relationship that began in 2020 between the Universal Music Group-owned music distributor and the São Paolo-based label. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/virgin-music-renews-multi-year-deal-with-brazilian-label-gr6/

Dune's platform allows fans to buy stakes in musicians that fluctuate in value according to daily streaming data. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/uks-dune-nears-closing-of-2-6m-series-a-round-ahead-of-artist-investment-app-launch/

Reservoir Media has published its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2025 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/reservoir-generated-45-4m-in-calendar-q3-up-12-yoy/

The company hosted over 51 million fans globally in Q3, with stadium shows up 60% from the prior year. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/live-nations-revenue-jumps-11-to-record-8-5bn-in-q3-on-strong-stadium-activity-fan-spending/

MBW's Music Business UK Awards took place in Covent Garden this evening (November 4), celebrating the very best that the UK music biz has to offer Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jody-gerson-vows-to-protect-human-songwriters-in-the-age-of-ai-as-umpg-boss-accepts-international-executive-of-the-year-honor-at-mbws-music-business-uk-awards/

Company's latest financial results (for Q3 2025) were filed this morning (November 4) Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-posts-680m-operating-profit-for-q3-as-subscriber-base-grows-by-5m-to-281m-paying-users/

Suno accused of "the biggest theft in music history" Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-sued-again-as-danish-cmo-koda-accuses-company-of-stealing-its-members-music-to-train-ai-model/

Music fans want to see AI improve their listening experience, not replace human artists, UMG's research found Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/3-things-you-might-have-missed-from-universals-q3-earnings-call/

The court found it "difficult to conclude" that ADOR breached its contract solely on the grounds of Min Hee-jin’s dismissal. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/newjeans-loses-contract-dispute-as-seoul-court-rules-in-favor-of-hybes-ador/

WMG exec will now oversee company's recorded music businesses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dan-rosen-promoted-to-president-of-warner-music-australasia-southeast-asia/

The move builds on Karma Artists' work with K-pop acts including BTS, Twice, Aespa, EXO, NCT, Riize and Shinee. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/karma-artists-plans-uk-writing-camp-for-k-pop-collaborations/

Sony Music has confirmed that Vanessa Picken is stepping down as Chair and CEO of Sony Music Australia and New Zealand after three years. Picken joined the company in 2022, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience to the role. Commenting on her departure from Sony Music, Picken said: “It has been a privilege … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/vanessa-picken-exits-as-chair-ceo-of-sony-music-australia-and-new-zealand/