Analysis News Kobalt forecasts profitability next year, after firm’s gross collections in FY2019 hit $616m "In our forecasts we see that by end of June 2021, we will be group profitable," says founder Willard Ahdritz
News Standalone Spotify Kids app launches in the US, Canada & France Ad-free app is exclusive to Spotify Premium Family subscribers
News Done deal: Tencent-led consortium completes $3.4bn acquisition of 10% of Universal Music Group "Vivendi is very happy with the arrival of the Tencent-led consortium. It will enable UMG to further develop in the Asian market."
News Michael Jackson estate donates $300,000 sum to COVID-19 relief efforts Broadway Cares, Three Square Food Bank and MusiCares will receive $100,000 each from Estate
Analysis News Global Spotify chart streams rose 3% last week – but fell again in the United States Deezer says there's reason to be hopeful – and we need to wait things out
News Neeta Ragoowansi elected as new President of the Music Managers Forum-US Ragoowansi has been an entertainment attorney for over 28 years
News Lyor Cohen: ‘Artists around the world are finding unique ways to shine light during this dark time.’ YouTube's Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen uses his monthly newsletter to address the Covid-19 crisis.
Analysis Blog What the music industry must do to protect our own ‘at-risk’ population Matthew Smith of Royalty Exchange calls for faster payments – and more generous splits – for artists
News How Universal Music Group is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic "We offering various forms of assistance to help artists, songwriters and independent labels affected by COVID-19 weather these challenging times."
News Sentric Music Group makes Business Affairs and Data Science hires Loren McShane joins as Head of Legal and Business Affairs; Dr. Joe Watson as Data Scientist
News Sacem unveils $6.7m fund and advances on royalties to help its author, composer & publisher members during Coronavirus crisis Operational arrangements for the emergency fund will be active as soon as April 2, says Sacem
News MIDEM 2020 cancelled, reboots as digital event due to Coronavirus The Midem Digital Edition will take place June 2-5, 2020
News Merck Mercuriadis’ Hipgnosis Songs Fund acquires music catalog from Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora Company has acquired 100% of Sambora's publishing and writer’s share royalties in his catalog, which comprises 186 songs
News Licensing agency IMPEL expands into Latin America via deal with LatinAutor Deal will allow IMPEL to license and collect across Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay and more
News UK artists and managers have already lost over $60m due to Coronavirus lockdown MMF and FAC demand recoupment holidays, crisis funding, emergency advances and repurposing of black box revenues
News Mathew Knowles, father of Beyoncé and Solange, invests in African music streaming startup MePlaylist Music streaming platform is based in Nigeria
Analysis Blog Leading a business in the midst of a crisis: ‘It almost always gets worse before it gets better.’ Tracy Maddux, the boss of CD Baby parent AVL, speaks from his unique experience on the subject