Universal Music Group In The News

The major record companies lost market share again on Spotify last year. But BMG and ‘artist-centric royalties’ make this a more complicated picture than it first appears.

To understand one of the industry's favorite graphs, a few things first need to be taken into account

Warner Music Group and Spotify ink new deal – overriding controversial CRB ‘bundling’ payment structure in the US

Deal covers 'artist-centric' elements and includes direct agreement in the US with Warner Chappell

Daniel Ek cashed out another $37.3m in Spotify shares as stock hit new high

Spotify’s stock surged to a new all-time high of $626 this week, boosting the company's market cap to $125.71 billion

Spotify market cap value tops $124bn – as stock price hits record high after posting first full year of profit

Spotify’s shares jumped 13% on Tuesday to $621.77, crossing the $600 threshold for the first time

Spotify slams the NMPA’s takedown action over alleged unlicensed songs in podcasts: ‘This is a press stunt.’

Spotify confirms that is investigating the takedown requests

Virgin Music Group expands presence in Africa, partnering with Ghana-based services company RainLabs

The partnership's goal is to ensure that the music of African artists “reaches global audiences and achieves lasting success"

Read Sir Lucian Grainge’s 2025 memo to Universal Music Group staff: ‘Streaming 2.0 will represent a new age of innovation, consumer segmentation, geographic expansion, greater consumer value and ARPU growth.’

UMG boss says: "I’m pleased to report that the Streaming 2.0 era has arrived."

On… Lola Young, M-UK-GA!, and communing.

MBW founder Tim Ingham's latest Review commentary