Chris Cooke - CMU | the music business explained

“Content is king” say analysts - so why is Spotify worth more than the entire music rights industry?

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Spotify • 3 min read

“Content is king” say analysts - so why is Spotify worth more than the entire music rights industry?

Lucian Grainge might be rubbing his hands with glee after a new report by investment bankers TD Cowen said Spotify is overvalued and Universal is undervalued. Plus the financial wizards reckon the majors might have the upper hand in future streaming negotiations now Spotify has hit profitability…

Chris Cooke • 11 Jul 2025

We are TikTok users so we can use music on TikTok, barks DSW Shoe Warehouse

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DSW Shoe Warehouse • 4 min read

We are TikTok users so we can use music on TikTok, barks DSW Shoe Warehouse

In May, Warner sued DSW Shoe Warehouse over unlicensed music in the retailer’s social media posts. Now the shoe seller wants the courts to confirm it hasn’t infringed any one’s copyrights because it’s a TikTok user and therefore should be covered by TikTok’s music licences, even though it isn’t…

Chris Cooke • 11 Jul 2025

Scottish First Minister hits back at Kneecap diss, says “let’s focus on Gaza”

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Kneecap • 3 min read

Scottish First Minister hits back at Kneecap diss, says “let’s focus on Gaza”

Kneecap and Bob Vylan have both discussed the controversies around their respective shows during gigs this week. Kneecap, playing Glasgow, included a dig at Scotland’s First Minister over his past criticism, though in response the politician echoed the rap group by saying the focus should be on Gaza…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jul 2025

Oak View boss stands down after being indicted for allegedly “rigging” the bidding to run Austin’s Moody Center

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Oak View Group • 3 min read

Oak View boss stands down after being indicted for allegedly “rigging” the bidding to run Austin’s Moody Center

Live industry veteran Tim Leiweke has stood down as CEO of the venues company he co-founded, Oak View Group, after being indicted over allegations of anti-competitive conduct when his company was bidding to run the Moody Center arena at the University Of Texas. Leiweke denies any wrongdoing…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jul 2025

“Split Live Nation into four companies”, independent venues tell the US government

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Live Nation • 3 min read

“Split Live Nation into four companies”, independent venues tell the US government

The deadline passed this week for submissions to the US government’s review of the ticketing business. Live Nation has asked for a 20% price cap on secondary ticketing, while NIVA wants even tighter regulation of resale - and for Live Nation to be split up into four separate companies…

Chris Cooke • 09 Jul 2025

Music industry welcomes ban on NDAs in cases of workplace harassment and abuse

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Misogyny In Music • 3 min read

Music industry welcomes ban on NDAs in cases of workplace harassment and abuse

The recent Parliamentary report on misogyny in music called on the government to urgently ban the use of NDAs to silence victims of sexual harassment or discrimination, in the music sector and beyond. Ministers are now doing exactly that via an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill…

Chris Cooke • 09 Jul 2025

AIF calls for competition regulator to investigate Live Nation’s market dominance in the UK

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Live Nation • 3 min read

AIF calls for competition regulator to investigate Live Nation’s market dominance in the UK

Following the recent Parliamentary hearing discussing Live Nation’s dominance in the UK live music market, the Association Of Independent Festivals has asked competition regulator the CMA to investigate if there is anti-competitive behaviour. That would parallel similar investigations in the US…

Chris Cooke • 08 Jul 2025

Turkish competition regulator to investigate Spotify as culture minister rails about playlists that disrespect the president’s wife

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Spotify • 3 min read

Turkish competition regulator to investigate Spotify as culture minister rails about playlists that disrespect the president’s wife

Spotify has said it is “cooperating” with the competition regulator in Turkey which has announced it is investigating whether any of the digital service’s practices breach competition law. That investigation comes as the country’s culture minister rails against Spotify’s content moderation policies…

Chris Cooke • 08 Jul 2025

“Keep music open” beg indie label bosses in letter to EU regulators asking for full investigation of UMG’s Downtown deal

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Universal Music • 3 min read

“Keep music open” beg indie label bosses in letter to EU regulators asking for full investigation of UMG’s Downtown deal

The European Commission must instigate a more detailed ‘phase two’ investigation into Universal Music’s bid to buy Downtown, according to a letter signed by more than 200+ business leaders from across the indie music sector. The EC is currently undertaking an initial ‘phase one’ investigation…

Chris Cooke • 07 Jul 2025

TikTok has built a US-specific app ahead of Trump’s forced sale

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TikTok • 3 min read

TikTok has built a US-specific app ahead of Trump’s forced sale

Donald Trump has said that his administration will this week seek approval from the Chinese government for a sale of TikTok’s US operations by China’s ByteDance to a group of American investors. With a sale now looking likely, it’s reported that TikTok is prepping a new specific app for US users…

Chris Cooke • 07 Jul 2025

Indie sector's letter to EU over Universal's Downtown deal

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Universal Music • 9 min read

Indie sector's letter to EU over Universal's Downtown deal

More than 200 business leaders from across the independent music sector have signed an open letter to the European Commission urging it to instigate a more detailed phase two investigation into Universal Music’s acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings…

Chris Cooke • 07 Jul 2025

BBC Music boss steps back, Met Police investigate and Radar Festival responds as Bob Vylan controversy rumbles on

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Bob Vylan • 6 min read

BBC Music boss steps back, Met Police investigate and Radar Festival responds as Bob Vylan controversy rumbles on

The promoter of Manchester’s Radar Festival has spoken about being forced to remove Bob Vylan from her line-up in the wake of the duo’s Glastonbury set. Meanwhile, the BBC continues to apologise for broadcasting that set, as the Met Police investigates comments made at an earlier Bob Vylan gig…

Chris Cooke • 04 Jul 2025