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Business News Deals Digital Labels & Publishers
Sony Music agrees licensing deal with TikTok
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 3 November 2020
Sony Music and TikTok have finally agreed a proper longer term licensing deal, covering use of the major label’s music on the video-sharing platform. So that’s good news for both TikTok and Sony, along with any TikTok users who were worried that Sony’s catalogue might get pulled off the platform if a deal wasn’t reached. Anyone?
In terms of what this means for your average TikTok user, probably not much. Although behind the scenes there are reports that TikTok is now paying higher fees than were agreed in the short-term deals all three majors signed earlier this year.
“Short-form video clips have developed into an exciting new part of the music ecosystem that contribute to the overall growth of music and the way fans experience it”, says Dennis Kooker, President of Global Digital Business and US Sales at Sony Music. “TikTok is a leader in this space and we are pleased to be partnering with them to drive music discovery, expand opportunities for creativity and support artist careers”.
TikTok’s Global Head Of Music Ole Obermann adds: “We are THRILLED to enter into this agreement with Sony Music so that we can continue to work together to connect the incredible roster of Sony artists in the US and across the globe to new audiences and harness the power of TikTok. Especially during this time when the artist community is challenged to find new ways to reach fans with their music, we are committed to working together to do just that”.
Don’t breath a sigh of relief just yet though, because longer-term deals with Warner and Universal are still in the works. Although, given TikTok’s reputation as a hit-maker at the moment, it seems likely that those will follow soon.
