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Showing posts from February, 2026

Avex Music Group strikes global distro deal with The Orchard, excluding Japan, China and Korea

AMG is the global music division of Japanese entertainment giant Avex Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/avex-music-group-strikes-global-distro-deal-with-the-orchard-excluding-japan-china-and-korea/

ElevenLabs, creator of Suno rival Eleven Music, raises $500m at $11bn valuation

The latest round was led by Sequoia Capital, with partner Andrew Reed joining the ElevenLabs board. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/elevenlabs-creator-of-suno-rival-eleven-music-raises-500m-at-11bn-valuation/

YouTube’s subscription business is now generating roughly $20bn a year – with music a key growth driver

YouTube's combined advertising and subscription revenues exceeded $60 billion for 2025 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/youtubes-subscription-business-is-now-generating-around-20bn-a-year-with-music-a-key-growth-driver/

B2B music streamer Soundtrack acquires Ambie and Tunify, expanding presence in UK and Benelux

Both companies will adopt the Soundtrack brand while retaining their local teams. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/b2b-music-streamer-soundtrack-acquires-ambie-and-tunify-expanding-presence-in-uk-and-benelux/

BTS strike Netflix deal to livestream comeback concert, followed by documentary about making of new album

The streaming giant will broadcast BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG on March 21 at 8 pm Korea Standard Time. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bts-strike-netflix-deal-to-livestream-comeback-concert-followed-by-documentary-about-making-of-new-album/

K-pop giant JYP’s China unit and CJ ENM strike joint venture with Tencent Music

ONECEAD aims to build artist businesses that "resonate both regionally and globally". Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/k-pop-giant-jyp-and-south-koreas-cj-enm-strike-joint-venture-with-chinas-tencent-music/

UMG bought a stake in superfan app Stationhead – here are 3 reasons why it matters more than you think

Superfan monetization continues to be a strategic priority for Universal Music Group. In his annual memo to staff issued last month, UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge confirmed as much. “In 2026 we will accelerate these efforts both by working with our established DSP partners on the launch of enhanced premium tiers for superfans, … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-bought-a-stake-in-superfan-app-stationhead-here-are-3-reasons-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think/

Fred Armisen to host CNN music docuseries pulling from UMG’s underground vault

The vault lies within the Iron Mountain facility in Boyers, Pennsylvania, where UMG stores a portion of its catalog 220 feet underground. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/fred-armisen-to-host-cnn-music-docuseries-pulling-from-umgs-underground-vault/

Andy Serrao named Chief Creative Officer at Concord Label Group

He will oversee A&R and strategic marketing across the company’s owned label imprints, including Fearless Records, Concord Records, and Rounder Records. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/andy-serrao-named-chief-creative-officer-at-concord-label-group/