News Warner Music Group buys Instagram and TikTok media content company IMGN Company owns channels including Daquan
Analysis News Tencent Music is racking up label deals, and going far deeper than licensing What Universal, Cooking Vinyl and Kobalt's new deals really mean in China
News Kobalt and Tencent Music sign records, publishing deal in China Deal allows for Kobalt and TME to "join hands in content", as well as hosting live events
Analysis News Beggars Group revenues hit $83m in 2019, as XL Recordings generated over $50m "Whilst we are expecting a slowdown in certain channels [from COVID-19] – for example physical sales, synchronisation, and performance income – we expect streaming to be least affected."
News Tencent Music inks another important label deal in China – with Cooking Vinyl "Exclusive licensing and distribution deal" adds to Cooking Vinyl's long and interesting history of industry moves in China
News Spotify vs. Songwriters: Publishers remain confident that streaming platforms WILL be forced to increase royalties in the US NMPA plays down impact of Court of Appeals decision, noting: "We believe these things are easily done by the CRB."
News Universal to pay-gate music in China as part of new Tencent Music deal Tencent confirms that Universal is backing its paywall strategy in key market
News Hipgnosis Songs Fund surpasses £1bn market cap valuation "It's a testament to the power of great songs and songwriters that in just two years we are a £1bn market cap, FTSE 250 company," says Mercuriadis
News Good Soldier Records says UK airplay No.1 shows it can compete with majors ‘at the top level’ Christian Tattersfield tells MBW his company is targeting half a billion streams for Dancing In The Moonlight
News Universal signs two major deals in China – as it launches new label with Tencent Music Unlike previous years, UMG goes direct with rival services in market
Interviews ‘It’s alright to feel fear – so long as you ignore it.’ Richard Russell has laid his life bare in a new memoir. He tells MBW about independence, insecurity and identity...
Analysis Live Nation spent more on ticketing in Q2 than its fans did Michael Rapino discusses Live Nation's horrible Q2 - and the bright future in 2021 and beyond
News Donald Trump’s ban on TikTok and Tencent’s WeChat appears to get Universal, Warner off the hook Trump's wording deliberately careful in letters to Senate
Interviews Ditto Management on going Top 5 in the UK: ‘We’re not in the old school music industry club – we’ve got data instead!’ Matt Dodds on the first year of Ditto's management company – and its plans to break "household names" globally
Analysis News As Round Hill sues TuneCore for $33m, could war break out between publishers and indie distributors? Could Richard Busch's latest industry lawsuit inspire other indie publishers to take legal action?