News and Trends

Universal Music Group has rejected Bill Ackman's takeover offer. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umg-rejects-bill-ackmans-64b-takeover-bid/

Deal covers publishing administration and sync licensing, alongside representation of the late artist's NIL rights. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/downtown-music-publishing-strikes-deal-to-represent-biz-markie-catalog-and-name-image-likeness-rights/

Goswami previously held roles in Fidelity International, HSBC, and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/richa-goswami-joins-pophouse-entertainments-board-of-directors/

The parties said they expect to resolve their dispute on or before June 15, 2026. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-and-crumbl-reach-settlement-in-24m-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-over-tiktok-posts/

Frank Rogers previously served as Chief Creative Officer of Spirit Music, a role he has held since 2022. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/frank-rogers-elevated-to-ceo-of-spirit-music/

Bloomberg reports that the deal values The Black Label at 1 trillion won (approximately $660M) Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-black-label-the-studio-behind-the-kpop-demon-hunters-soundtrack-just-raised-80m-with-investment-from-tencent-music/

SM Ticketmaster will partner with third-party venues, promoters and other ticketed experiences across concerts, sports and live events. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ticketmaster-expands-into-the-philippines-through-sm-prime-partnership/

"Iceman" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 on May 30, giving the rapper his 15th chart-topper and matching Taylor Swift's tally among solo acts. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/drake-ties-taylor-swift-for-most-billboard-200-no-1-albums-among-solo-acts-and-sets-new-aria-chart-record-with-triple-drop/

Global deal will also see TikTok and UMG work together to remove unauthorized AI-generated music from the platform Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-group-and-tiktok-strike-new-multi-year-licensing-deal-with-expanded-ai-protections-for-artists-and-songwriters/

The event will kick off TikTok LIVE Premiere – the platform's new flagship LIVE series Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/paul-mccartney-to-host-global-tiktok-live-qa-ahead-of-new-album-release-the-boys-of-dungeon-lane/

As ever, the latest issue is packed with insight about the past, present, and future of the music business... plus impressive people. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-latest-music-business-worldwide-magazine-is-out-now-read-it-here/

Blumberg won the Oscar for Best Original Score at the 97th Academy Awards in March 2025 for his work on Brady Corbet's The Brutalist. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/umpg-and-45rpm-sign-academy-award-winning-composer-daniel-blumberg/

Downtown Music-owned FUGA first struck its partnership with Insomniac Music Group in November 2022. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/fuga-renews-global-distribution-partnership-with-insomniac-music-group/

The deal is expected to close mid-2026. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bmi-to-acquire-soundmouse-from-orfium-to-build-largest-and-most-comprehensive-global-cue-sheet-database/

BIBI has surpassed one billion streams in the past 12 months and has over 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-korea-strikes-strategic-global-partnership-with-management-firm-feelghood-music-to-represent-korean-star-bibi/

The Student plan remains unchanged at CAD $6.39 per month, while other tiers saw changes of CAD $1.30 to CAD $3.00 per month. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-raises-premium-prices-in-canada-by-up-to-cad-3-per-month/

The platform's first signing is SVRN, a performance-driven artist whose music video for his debut single "WHY" was released on Thursday. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-forms-cross-border-artist-development-platform-gliide-with-thailands-gmm-music/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-sony-music-publishings-4-billion-catalog-deal-to-live-nations-blue-dot-fever-rebuttal-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

MBW's Trailblazers series meets Constantin Koehncke, CEO of Image-Line, the Belgian company behind FL Studio Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-next-global-genre-will-likely-start-in-someones-bedroom-and-that-bedroom-might-be-in-lagos-mumbai-or-sao-paulo/

The plaque was presented by NMPA President & CEO David Israelite alongside Omar Grant, Senior Director of Creative at Sony Music Publishing Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/russ-honored-with-nmpa-gold-platinum-recognition-celebrating-26-certified-songs/

Capshaw has built Red Light into what the company says is the world's largest independent artist management firm, with a roster that includes Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Chris Stapleton, and The Strokes. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/t-j-martell-foundation-to-honor-red-light-management-founder-coran-capshaw-with-lifetime-music-industry-award/

The company acknowledged that the ad contained “a male singing voice," but denied that it was a "sound-alike singer." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/coca-cola-denies-johnny-cash-sound-alike-claim-disputes-infringement-in-estate-lawsuit/

Werde will bring his distinct perspective to Music Business Worldwide’s editorial lineup with regular U.S.-based commentary Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/music-business-worldwide-taps-bill-werde-for-new-column-series/

Three former The Debut: Dream Academy contestants – EMILY, LEXIE, and SAMARA – had previously been confirmed as members of the group. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/after-katseye-hybe-and-geffen-unveil-second-global-girl-group-saint-satine/

HYBE says it looks to become “an entertainment lifestyle platform company built on both music and technology.” Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/hybe-overhauls-brand-identity-as-it-pushes-further-into-superfans-and-technology/

Samsung said the image was used to reflect the content of its third-party partners available on Samsung TV, and was provided by a content partner. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/samsung-blames-content-partner-for-dua-lipa-tv-box-image-dispute-denies-intentional-misuse/

Lundén promoted to Director, Atlantic Records Finland; Wheeler joins as Senior A&R Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-launches-atlantic-records-finland-led-by-fredi-lunden-and-kristiina-wheeler/

Hawie will report to Randy Derebegian, MNRK's VP of Artist Development, and Chris Moncada, COO of MNRK Music Group. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/dan-hawie-promoted-to-managing-director-of-mnrk-music-groups-last-gang-records/

Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music (WCM), has been named the recipient of the 2026 Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS). Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/guy-moot-is-this-years-recipient-of-the-uks-music-industry-trusts-award-the-first-music-publisher-to-receive-the-honor/

Band had been shopping catalog since early last year, according to reports Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/red-hot-chili-peppers-sells-recorded-music-catalog-to-warner-music-group-for-300-million/

The deal comes roughly three months after Native Instruments entered preliminary insolvency proceedings in Germany. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/native-instruments-acquired-by-inmusic-owner-of-akai-and-moog-three-months-after-entering-insolvency/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-tencent-musics-250k-song-takedowns-to-warner-and-sonys-calendar-q1-results-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

The change, which took effect in January 2026, follows the departure of named partners Reid Hunter and Joe Serling Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/law-firm-serling-rooks-rebrands-as-mckoy-worob-averill-scott-koenig-llp-elevates-jeffrey-koenig-and-adds-margo-scott-as-named-partner/

Recorded music streaming revenue (combining subscription and ad-funded streaming) was up 13.6% YoY. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bad-bunny-sony-generated-up-19-5-yoy/

Exec to lead the company’s operations and strategic expansion within the world’s seventh-largest recorded music market Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jieun-kim-promoted-to-president-of-warner-music-korea/

Az Cohen previously held roles at 300 Entertainment Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/believe-unveils-aztec-its-first-us-record-label-joint-venture-with-music-exec-az-cohen/

International collections rose 13% while revenue collected within France was largely flat. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sacem-paid-out-1-7bn-to-composers-and-publishers-in-2025-on-21-yoy-revenue-jump-to-2bn/

"Raw Power has always been about building enduring careers for artists," said Jennings. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/raw-power-management-promotes-matt-ash-and-don-jenkins-to-joint-ceos-as-founder-craig-jennings-moves-to-executive-chairman/

"It's not even about just being 'premium'. It's just consumers will pay for a shorter line, better parking, better hospitality." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/want-to-talk-about-superfans-ask-live-nation/

The Berlin-based hip-hop label and management company is behind superstar rapper Apache 207 Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sony-music-expands-jv-with-german-rap-label-two-sides-as-founder-lucas-teuchner-takes-on-broader-advisory-role-for-the-major-in-the-gsa-region/

Live Nation argued that the Key Investment Group lawsuit is not comparable to its case as they were brought under different subparagraphs of the BOTS Act. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/live-nation-says-court-ruling-against-ticket-broker-supports-the-companys-bid-to-dismiss-ftcs-bots-act-lawsuit/

Suno will likely raise above $250 million, the same amount that it pulled in during its Series C just six months ago, sources told Billboard. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-is-raising-another-250-million-at-a-5-billion-valuation-reports/

A Spotify subscriber sued the company in November, claiming it deceives users by letting labels boost song visibility through reduced royalty payments. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-wins-motion-for-arbitration-in-payola-lawsuit/

The update, announced via YouTube's Creator Insider channel on Friday (May 1), adds a new "Create" button to the existing "Replace Song" tool in YouTube Studio on desktop. Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/youtube-creators-hit-by-music-copyright-claims-can-now-replace-tracks-with-ai-at-the-touch-of-a-button/

Robert Kyncl told the magazine: "AI is a fast-growing phenomenon. It's really important that companies like us stand up for artists and songwriters — do it early, and do it together with AI companies." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/warner-music-group-named-to-times-list-of-100-most-influential-companies-for-its-approach-to-ai/

Emails sent to Songkick users on Thursday (April 30) confirmed that personal data held by the platform "will be transferred to Suno, who will become the controller responsible for that data going forward." Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/suno-is-now-the-controller-of-songkick-user-data-and-is-hiring-a-gm-to-wire-it-into-its-ai-music-platform/

The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/from-the-orchards-onimusic-acquisition-in-brazil-to-the-bmg-concord-merger-its-mbws-weekly-round-up/

MBW's Inspiring Women series meets Kristin Graziani, President of Los Angeles-based music distribution platform Stem Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/were-finally-in-a-place-where-we-can-win-and-retain-the-artists-and-labels-weve-always-wanted-to-work-with/

Maxwell will split time between New York City, Nashville, and Los Angeles Source source https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/believe-expands-label-artist-solutions-business-into-the-us-led-by-thomas-maxwell/