Music Business News: Netherlands

Downtown Music boss speaks out on UMG deal: ‘The debate must be honest. It must be about facts, not agendas.’

UMG’s Virgin Music Group revealed in December that it had agreed to buy Downtown LLC in a $775m deal, which is currently under Phase II investigation by the European Commission.

News

Universal Music Group generated $3.38bn in Q2, up 4.5% YoY – driven by Morgan Wallen, timelesz, Lady Gaga

Universal's overall Recorded Music revenue for the second quarter of 2025 was €2.224 billion ($2.52bn), up 3.9% YoY at constant currency.

News

Universal Music Group takes step closer to US listing, filing draft registration with SEC

The Dutch music company said it will not receive any proceeds from the planned US IPO.

News

European Composer & Songwriter Alliance urges EU to block UMG’s acquisition of Downtown

The ECSA is an umbrella group of around 55 composer and songwriter associations in more than 25 European countries

Interviews

‘Music fans nowadays are so immersed in the online world, they can see what’s real and what’s manufactured.’

MBW's World Leaders series meets Niels Walboomers, President, Recorded Music and Publishing, Benelux, Warner Music Group, which includes powerhouse dance label Spinnin’ Records

News

European competition regulators to make initial ruling on Universal’s $775m Downtown buyout by July 22

EU competition regulator sets July 22 deadline to make initial ruling

News

FUGA makes first step into D2C commerce for artists and labels, in partnership with Shopify-backed Single

This is B2B music distributor FUGA's first foray into direct-to-consumer e-commerce

News

Maarten Steinkamp appointed Interim President of Armada Music Group

Steinkamp has worked closely with Armada as an interim board consultant for the past several months