Music Business Analysis

Analysis

Ed Newton-Rex: Why I’m deleting my SoundCloud account.

This MBW Views op/ed comes from Ed Newton-Rex (pictured), CEO of the ethical generative AI non-profit, Fairly Trained.

Analysis

The importance of rejection – and being told ‘that’s impossible’: 5 things we learned from Elliot Grainge’s commencement speech

Atlantic Music Group boss gave commencement speech for graduates at Northeastern University over the weekend

Analysis News

From Create buying Monstercat to WMG earnings… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up

The biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…

Analysis News

Robert Kyncl talks M&A strategy, A&R spend, AI regulation, and more on Warner Music’s latest earnings call

Warner Music Group's CEO discussed the company's calendar Q1 results with analysts today (May 8)

Analysis News

Warner Music Group generated $1.48bn in calendar Q1 2025; subscription streaming revenues rose 3.2% YoY

Warner Music Group has issued its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (calendar Q1 – the company’s fiscal Q2).

Analysis

‘We need a change in approach to ensure songwriters are fairly remunerated for music that hugely enhances the gaming experience.’

George Rose, Head of Broadcast and Digital and Graham Best, Senior Manager - New Digital Markets, PRS for Music, look at the changing and crucial relationship between music and games, along with the licensing issues and revenue streams that lie between the two…

Analysis

Spotify Q1 2025 earnings call: Daniel Ek talks growth, pricing, superfan products, and a future where the platform could reach 1bn subscribers

Six things we learned from SPOT's Q1 earnings call...

Analysis

Subscription growth, super-premium, and short-form video’s ‘inadequate monetization’: 7 takeaways from Universal Music Group’s Q1 2025 earnings call

Sir Lucian Grainge, Michael Nash, and Boyd Muir dug deep into the company's strategy and numbers on their Q1 call

Analysis News

UMG generated $3bn+ in Q1 – up 9.5% YoY, driven by Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and more superstars

Company's subscription streaming revenues grew 9.3% YoY

Analysis News

Spotify posts record-high operating profit for Q1, as subscriber base grows by 5m to 268m paid users

SPOT's latest financial results (for Q1 2025) were filed today (April 29)

Music Business Worldwide

Music Business Analysis

Ed Newton-Rex: Why I’m deleting my SoundCloud account.

The importance of rejection – and being told ‘that’s impossible’: 5 things we learned from Elliot Grainge’s commencement speech

From Create buying Monstercat to WMG earnings… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up

Robert Kyncl talks M&A strategy, A&R spend, AI regulation, and more on Warner Music’s latest earnings call

Warner Music Group generated $1.48bn in calendar Q1 2025; subscription streaming revenues rose 3.2% YoY

‘We need a change in approach to ensure songwriters are fairly remunerated for music that hugely enhances the gaming experience.’

‘If we don’t step up now, the platforms we depend on will become even more toxic.’

From Spotify, Universal numbers to new management at Apple Music… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up

On… Udio, FUGA, Universal, Merlin, and missed opportunities

The EU is investigating UMG’s $775m Downtown buyout – but why, and what happens now?

Jack Dorsey’s ‘Delete All IP Law’ post highlights the hypocrisy of Big Tech Billionaires

Spotify Q1 2025 earnings call: Daniel Ek talks growth, pricing, superfan products, and a future where the platform could reach 1bn subscribers

Subscription growth, super-premium, and short-form video’s ‘inadequate monetization’: 7 takeaways from Universal Music Group’s Q1 2025 earnings call

UMG generated $3bn+ in Q1 – up 9.5% YoY, driven by Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and more superstars

Spotify posts record-high operating profit for Q1, as subscriber base grows by 5m to 268m paid users