Analysis Robert Kyncl talks Spotify deal, Warner Music’s distribution strategy at Morgan Stanley event Warner Music Group CEO opens up on strategy, interviewed by Ben Swinburne
News Universal acquires Netherlands-based indie music company 8Ball 8Ball calls itself a 'multidisciplinary record company' that owns two labels – 8Ball and Dino Music
Analysis News Universal Music Group’s recorded music subscription streaming revenues topped $5bn in 2024, up 9.1% YoY There was less good news, however, from the world of ad-funded streaming.
News BMG combines Sync and Production Music to form Global Sync Services team, led by Amberly Crouse-Knox and Scott Doran The company aims to differentiate itself by offering a one-stop shop for clients looking to add music to media
News No, Spotify hasn’t gone down – unless you were pirating the Premium service Many listeners who were using a 'crack' to listen to Spotify Premium for free have been locked out of the service
News Bad Bunny label Rimas Entertainment acquires ‘significant’ stake in Dale Play Records Deal establishes a partnership between Rimas Entertainment, Dale Play Records, and Sony Music Entertainment
News Adrian Pope named EVP Digital Business & Global Partner Relations at Virgin Music Group Virgin describes Pope as a “pioneer in the development of the digital music business”
News Daniel Ek bags another $29m from Spotify share sale, cashing out close to $700m since 2023 The Spotify CEO has sold $695.3 million of company stock since July 2023, regulatory filings show
News Reservoir and PopArabia acquire catalog of Egyptian superstar Omar Kamal Deal includes both publishing and master rights to his catalog
News Asia-focused fund blackx partners with Japan’s ASOBISYSTEM to expand J-pop globally Investment firm blackx partners with Japanese talent management company
News LyricFind sues Musixmatch over alleged antitrust violations Musixmatch has called the accusations "meritless"
News Drake’s lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ to go forward as UMG prepares motion to dismiss Lawyers for Drake are also pushing forward a separate case in Texas, alleging 'payola' payments by UMG for playing 'Not Like Us'
News Sphere Entertainment generated $308.3m in Q4, missing earnings forecasts, but promises 2025 will be its ‘best year yet’ The company is forging ahead with a second Sphere in Abu Dhabi, and planning smaller Spheres for a wide range of markets
News Who’s about to buy Suicideboys’ lucrative music publishing catalog ? Rumors abound after Billboard reports that duo's masters could sell for more than $300 million
News ex-Guggenheim exec’s Aquarian Holdings backs new $250m music rights JV with Raven Capital The fund is a joint venture between Raven Capital Management and Aquarian Holdings
News Mercury Records promotes Tyler Arnold to Chairman/CEO and Ben Adelson to President/COO Tyler Arnold signed Post Malone while working as an intern at Republic, while Ben Adelson signed Noah Kahan, James Bay and Stephen Sanchez
News Create Music Group acquires deadmau5 and mau5trap Records catalogs in $55m+ deal The deal also includes the formation of a JV under which Deadmau5 and Mau5trap will release new music via Create
Analysis News YouTube Music hits 125 million subscribers, adding 2m subs per month on average over the past year YouTube added +25 million subscribers over the past 12 months