News and Trends

Labbani will lead Dirty Hit's European operations for its full roster Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dirty-hit-opens-first-continental-european-office-in-berlin-led-by-eu-label-manager-noura-labbani/

Bloomberg reported that the talks are still at an early stage and may not result in a deal Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/siriusxm-in-talks-to-acquire-iheartmedia-report/

MBW's World Leaders series meets Taeho Park, who leads the NEXT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS (NEB) and Data Strategy Center units at Korean entertainment giant HYBE, the home of BTS Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybes-taeho-park-on-expanding-the-superfan-market-via-transmedia-content-and-why-the-firms-neb-unit-is-its-future-business-frontier/

Deal marks Spotify’s expansion into guided wellness experiences as Peloton pushes further into platform-agnostic distribution strategy. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-strikes-peloton-partnership-to-launch-fitness-and-wellness-content-for-premium-subscribers/

New senior appointments come as music-focused financing platform builds out infrastructure across capital, legal and data functions Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/matt-spetzlers-pipeline-hires-jennifer-scher-as-cfo-jason-munro-as-general-counsel-and-jay-srivastav-as-head-of-data-product/

Ben Blackburn, founder of Common Knowledge and manager of girl in red, is among the investors Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/indie-label-group-futures-music-raises-6m-as-it-sets-sights-on-catalog-deals1/

6 billion track saves translated to 'many, many billions more streams in repeat' on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music said TikTok Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tiktoks-add-to-music-app-tool-surpasses-6b-track-saves-in-the-past-year/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-75000-ai-tracks-hitting-deezer-daily-to-umgs-copyright-lawsuit-against-quince-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

Yonhap News Agency reports today (April 24) that the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office declined the warrant request Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bang-si-hyuk-police-arrest-bid-rejected-by-korean-prosecutors-report/

The feature, however, is optional as artists can still choose whether to disclose AI involvement in their song production. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-to-show-ai-tags-in-song-credits-where-artists-have-chosen-to-disclose-through-their-label-or-distributor/

The expansion comes six months after YouTube started rolling out the tool in October, which was limited to a specific set of creators with YouTube channels. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/youtube-extends-deepfake-detection-tool-access-to-celebrities-and-talent-agencies/

19Clouds will be the first artist to release music through INVERSA and will also serve as a “creative decision-maker” and A&R. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/latin-american-dance-label-inversa-launches-with-backing-from-milk-honey-onerpm-and-m3-music/

The joint venture will employ a 'co-release model,' pairing Create's global infrastructure with GoodTalk's 'selective, development-first approach.' Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/create-music-group-forms-joint-venture-with-jonnyshipes-goodtalk/

The new WCM India division will provide songwriters with exclusive access to the wider WMG’s studios within its Mumbai headquarters. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-chappell-launches-in-india-jay-mehta-to-oversee-recorded-music-publishing-in-india-and-south-asia/

New venture, led alongside executives from Sua Música Group and ASJ, plans World Cup-themed debut project. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/soccer-legend-ronaldinho-launches-tu-musica-record-label-in-partnership-with-brazils-sua-musica-group-and-asj/

Drake's lawyers argued that the judge committed “reversible error” by considering materials outside the complaint and drawing conclusions against the rapper. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/drake-pushes-back-on-umg-at-appeals-court-says-judge-improperly-dismissed-not-like-us-case/

Gralen previously served as President and CFO, while Sartory was most recently Chief Revenue Officer. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/matt-gralen-promoted-to-ceo-of-beatport-helen-sartory-upped-to-president-coo-as-longtime-chief-exec-robb-mcdaniels-moves-to-executive-chairman-role/

MBW's Inspiring Women series meets former September Management COO-turned-author Delphine Seddon Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/to-create-from-a-genuine-place-you-have-to-be-open-vulnerable-and-sensitive-and-when-you-put-music-out-you-need-to-be-the-opposite-its-almost-impossible/

Deal collateralized by royalties from a catalog of more than 3,750 works Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/chord-music-linked-abs-vehicle-plans-500m-deal-backed-by-830m-catalog-led-by-suicideboys-morgan-wallen-and-ryan-tedder-rights/

The company raised a $500 million Series E in March at a $10.1 billion valuation Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/fashion-brand-quince-recently-valued-at-10b-sued-by-umg-over-unlicensed-use-of-music-from-sabrina-carpenter-justin-bieber-billie-eilish-and-more-in-tiktok-posts/

PopArabia, Reservoir Media’s Abu Dhabi-headquartered partner focused on the Middle East and North Africa, has acquired MENA label and digital distribution company Viral Wave. The announcement on Monday (April 20) noted that the acquisition marks “an important milestone in PopArabia’s continued growth”, by adding distribution services to scale the company’s existing publishing and label services … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/reservoir-backed-poparabia-acquires-mena-label-and-distributor-viral-wave/

The volume of fully AI-generated music being uploaded to Deezer has surged again Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/75000-ai-generated-tracks-now-flood-deezer-daily-representing-44-of-all-new-music-uploaded-to-the-platform-says-streamer/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-live-nations-antitrust-trial-loss-to-max-lousada-and-julie-greenwalds-26-2-launch-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

Shankar, who currently leads TuneCore in the region, will expand her remit across Believe’s Artist Services business. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/akhila-shankar-promoted-to-director-of-artist-services-for-india-and-south-asia-at-believe/

New digital hub combines e-commerce and editorial content focused on jazz repertoire and culture. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-group-launches-everything-jazz-a-new-global-digital-platform-for-jazz-music-and-culture/

TuneCore is celebrating its 20th anniversary. MBW meets up with two of its senior execs to reflect on the journey so far, the careers launched and the lessons learned – as well as a look at the current landscape and where the company might go next… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/by-aligning-more-closely-with-believe-tunecore-is-creating-a-seamless-pathway-for-artist-growth/

The act's streaming and physical sales in Japan made them the world's 13th biggest-selling act in 2025 — without an international campaign. UMG says their global push is still to come. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/how-mrs-green-apples-dominance-in-japan-is-driving-a-global-breakthrough-for-the-umg-signed-band/

Firm says original sample creators will be compensated when their sounds are used to generate new material Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/splice-launches-ai-tools-that-compensate-sample-creators-when-their-sounds-are-used/

Grammy-winning songwriter formalizes expanded partnership with WCM as company deepens ties to Latin repertoire and writer development. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-chappell-music-signs-grammy-winner-claudia-brant-to-global-publishing-deal/

Marking joins from AEG as the company expands global naming rights and brand partnership strategy across its international venue network. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/chris-marking-appointed-executive-vice-president-international-venue-sponsorship-at-live-nation/

However, the report found that of the 178 million people who streamed music in 2025, only about 8% were paying for it. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/india-added-nearly-4m-paid-music-streaming-subscriptions-in-2025-taking-its-total-to-14-4m-according-to-new-report/

He will maintain a relationship with RCA and Sony Music in a consultancy capacity Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/mark-pitts-exits-as-president-of-rca-records-launches-new-management-venture-cofvnders/

BMG taps Warner Music Group veteran to drive its SYNC+ strategy, strengthening its global sync and music-for-media operations. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tim-miles-appointed-evp-of-bmgs-global-sync-division/

Canadian performing rights society SOCAN generated revenues of CAD $587.1 million ($420m) in 2025, up 5% compared with 2024. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/canadas-socan-paid-out-usd-366m-to-rightsholders-in-2025-warns-ai-is-placing-mounting-pressure-on-livelihoods/

For Ticketmaster, the app enables discovery and paid marketing as OpenAI is also testing sponsored ad placements in ChatGPT. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ticketmaster-launches-app-within-chatgpt-bringing-event-discovery-to-openais-chatbot/

Another blow to fake streams as Brazil escalates its fight against platforms selling artificial music engagement. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sao-paulo-court-orders-shutdown-of-streaming-fraud-site-in-latest-operation-authentica-ruling/

The biggest headlines from the past seven days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-pershing-squares-64-billion-bid-for-umg-to-wireless-festivals-kanye-west-cancellation-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

Deal includes future works, select back-catalog administration, and a JV with 2-Tone to sign and develop new songwriting talent. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/peermusic-signs-songwriter-eyelar-forms-writer-development-joint-venture-with-2-tone-entertainment/

Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr., aka Hit-Boy, has worked with hip-hop’s biggest superstars, from Travis Scott and Drake, to Jay Z & Kanye West. He tells MBW about his career to date, his vision for the future and embracing AI… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hit-boy-on-working-with-travis-scott-and-drake-to-jay-z-beyonce-and-more-superstars/

NINE BY NINE will engage in planning and production of music festivals in Asia, and supporting Japanese artists seeking to expand internationally. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-music-and-umg-form-nine-by-nine-music-festivals-joint-venture-in-japan/

Talks with UMG and Warner Music have seen little progress, while Suno hasn't been able to reach a deal with Sony Music, according to the Financial Times. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sunos-licensing-talks-with-major-labels-in-limbo-with-no-path-forward-report/

The deal marks Kobalt’s second AI music platform partnership, following its 2025 licensing agreement with ElevenLabs. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/after-universal-warner-and-merlin-deals-now-udio-inks-licensing-agreement-with-kobalt/

Music industry communications specialist weighs in on the Ye controversy, and Wireless Festival's cancellation Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-unravelling-of-a-bulletproof-brand-wireless-festivals-self-inflicted-crisis/

The music giant said it will review the proposal and analyze its implications for shareholders, employees, artists and songwriters. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bill-ackman-thinks-hell-convince-umg-shareholders-to-take-his-deal-jp-morgan-isnt-so-sure/

Babel Ops was founded in 2020 by Erik Gilbert and Greg Delaney, who previously co-founded Entertainment Intelligence in 2014. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/secretly-distribution-acquires-music-data-and-analytics-firms-entertainment-intelligence-and-babel-ops/

Agreement follows Langebaek’s contributions to Olivia Dean’s UK No.1 album and an Ivor Novello nomination for The Art of Loving. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-music-publishing-uk-and-second-songs-sign-olivia-dean-co-writer-bastian-langebaek-to-global-deal/

"UMG's stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business and importantly, all of them can be addressed with this transaction," says Ackman Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bill-ackmans-pershing-square-bids-to-buy-universal-music-group-in-64-billion-deal/

"We have informed the organizers of our concerns, and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival," said a company spokesperson. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/pepsi-and-diageo-withdraw-sponsorship-of-uks-wireless-festival-as-kanye-west-booking-sparks-backlash/

Gamma-owned Vydia caught in controversy over musician whose videos were claimed against Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/a-folk-musician-had-her-voice-cloned-by-ai-and-her-recordings-claimed-by-a-copyright-troll-welcome-to-2026/

IMPALA, the European trade body representing over 6,000 independent music companies, has criticized Warner Music Group‘s agreement to acquire Revelator, calling the deal “bad news for artists, fans, and Europe’s diversity as [a] whole.” The statement, published on Thursday (April 2), came one day after WMG announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/impala-was-unhappy-about-umgs-purchase-of-downtown-now-it-says-wmgs-revelator-acquisition-is-bad-news-for-artists-fans-and-europes-diversity/

Two amicus briefs filed on Friday (April 3) in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit have backed UMG Recordings in its defense against Drake’s defamation appeal over Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us. Both briefs support the dismissal of Drake’s lawsuit and urge the appeals court to affirm the October 2025 ruling … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/yale-law-school-scholars-back-umg-in-drakes-not-like-us-defamation-fight-arguing-rapper-consented-to-kendrick-lamars-lyrics/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-wmg-swooping-for-revelator-to-umgs-e500-million-share-buyback-program-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

Universal Music Group and Believe have settled the copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the Paris-headquartered music company and its distribution platform TuneCore in late 2024. A Joint Stipulation of Dismissal With Prejudice was filed today (April 3) in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, confirming that all claims in the … Continued Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-and-believe-settle-lawsuit-that-alleged-industrial-scale-copyright-infringement-of-universals-music/

OpenWav says it can pay advances 'anywhere from the low five figures to the high seven figures' Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/wyclef-jean-and-jaeson-mas-d2c-service-openwav-launches-snafu-backed-indie-artist-financing-platform/

Miller has served as Chief Revenue Officer at TuneCore for the last two years Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/brian-miller-appointed-chief-business-officer-at-tunecore/

ACRCloud’s Derivative Works Detection service uses audio fingerprinting to identify modified works Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/tiktoks-distro-service-soundon-cracks-down-on-manipulated-audio-via-acrcloud-partnership-to-intercept-unauthorized-tracks/

Culture Collective founder Jonathan Azu talks about his multi-hyphenate background, working with Grammy-winning artists, and where he wants to go from here… Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/in-todays-world-what-does-the-word-manager-mean-youre-really-just-sitting-at-the-table-with-the-artist/

Auditions will be held both online and across 10 Indian cities, as well as at locations in London, New York, Singapore, Toronto and Sydney. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybe-india-launches-search-for-girl-group-with-auditions-extending-to-london-new-york-singapore-toronto-and-sydney/