CMU | the music business explained (Page 31)

Live Nation boss dismissive of streaming platforms’ superfan ambitions as company reports record year

Spotify wants to be “the best in the world at building AI products” and is focused on “accelerated execution”... but still no super-premium launch

Judge throws out MLC’s audiobooks bundle lawsuit, says Spotify can keep cutting songwriter royalties through its “cynical trick”

Universal Music’s new Spotify deal could be a knock-out blow for streaming platform’s audiobook bundling trick

Universal put “corporate greed” before Drake’s safety, says defamation lawsuit filed over Kendrick Lamar diss track

Beware the “wolf under the cape” in Universal’s Downtown land grab, warns Beggars boss as IMPALA calls for regulators to block the deal

EU AI Act can only provide a “temporary fix” to the “darker aspect” of AI’s “profound disruption” to creative industries says open letter

AI generated music will suck €4 billion a year away from music creators by 2028 says CISAC

Village People founder loves Trump using YMCA, but hates people calling it a gay anthem

Executives from BMG, Absolute Label Services, Mahogany Music, Punch Records and more to join award winning female entrepreneurs in Liverpool as first Sound City+ 2025 speakers unveiled

AIF makes desperate call for government to “step up, and step up now” to get festivals through “devastating period”, as MVT launches new Liveline fund

New AI transparency proposal in US Congress will “pave the way” for creator compensation says ASCAP boss

SXSW ditches weapons sponsors to burnish brand - so why won’t it ditch its ties to Saudi Arabia?

SXSW London could disrupt delicately balanced music ecosystem and should reconsider its date

SESAC • 3 min read

Music videos blocked on YouTube after SESAC licensing talks stall

YouTube’s negotiations to agree a new licensing deal with American collecting society SESAC have stalled and its existing deal is now expiring. As a result, videos featuring songs written by SESAC member writers - including Bob Dylan, Adele and Burna Boy - have been blocked on the video platform…

Chris Cooke • 30 Sep 2024

Lyte • 3 min read

More festivals impacted by collapse of ticketing company Lyte

The fallout from the collapse of ticketing company Lyte continues. Two Aussie festivals have been impacted, with one down AUS$30,000 and another putting ongoing sales on hold. Meanwhile the two US festivals suing Lyte have clarified how they used the company’s secondary ticketing marketplace…

Chris Cooke • 30 Sep 2024

Ador • 3 min read

HYBE reopens investigation into sexual harassment claims at Ador, as label’s ousted CEO says she’s selling her house to cover legal costs

Min Hee-jin, ex-CEO at HYBE label Ador, has again said she wants her old job back, insisting that separating her management and production roles makes no sense. Meanwhile HYBE is investigating claims Min inappropriately intervened into an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations at the label…

Chris Cooke • 30 Sep 2024

CMU Digest • 7 min read

📑 CMU Digest: TikTok Music closing + all change at top of Universal UK

CMU Digest is our weekly round-up of the most interesting music business news stories from the last seven days.…

CMU • 30 Sep 2024

Releases & Tours • 1 min read

⏩ Releases & Tours News Monday 30 Sep

Justice, Kylie Minogue, TruththeBull, Gyptian, mikah, Bryan Adams, Dillon Francis, Yeah Boy, Kelly Clarkson + more…

CMU • 30 Sep 2024

Equitable Remuneration • 4 min read

Belgium's plan to give artists and session musicians direct streaming payments could be blocked by EU court

When implementing the 2019 EU Copyright Directive, Belgium introduced a new performer ER right on streams, a move opposed through the Belgian courts by the labels and digital services. Judges have now referred the matter to the EU courts to clarify if the new right is compliant with European law…

Chris Cooke • 27 Sep 2024

Musi • 2 min read

Free music app removed from Apple App Store, seemingly after YouTube intervention

Apple has removed the free music app Musi from its App Store. IFPI has been calling for the app to be removed since last year, because Musi pulls in music from YouTube rather than negotiating licensing deals with labels. However, it is possible that an intervention by YouTube prompted Apple to act…

Chris Cooke • 27 Sep 2024

CRTC • 2 min read

Streaming isn’t radio, the majors and DSPs tell Canadian regulator

Canadian broadcasting regulator the CRTC is implementing the elements of Canada’s Online Streaming Act that aim to promote Canadian content. That has led to concerns that radio industry rules will be applied to streaming platforms, prompting an open letter from the major labels and digital services…

Chris Cooke • 27 Sep 2024

Releases & Tours • 1 min read

⏩ Releases & Tours News Friday 27 Sep

Sasha Keable, Lady GaGa, Tommy Richman, Biig Piig, Nina Nesbitt, Van Morrison, The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Alison Moyet + more…

CMU • 27 Sep 2024

Horizon Future Leaders • 4 min read

🌅 Horizon Future Leaders series - Cally Hamilton Q&A

As part of our new Horizon Future Leaders series of interviews, we are connecting with the music industry’s next generation of leaders to gather candid advice and insights into their career journeys. In this Q&A, we caught up with Cally Hamilton, Sync Coordinator at Republic of Sync.…

Horizon Music Jobs • 27 Sep 2024

Proper Group AG • 2 min read

A Swiss court has initiated bankruptcy proceedings against Proper Group AG

The disaster-unicorn formerly known as Utopia Music has been served with bankruptcy proceedings after a specialist blockchain law firm took legal action over a CHF 23,000 debt. Proper Group AG told CMU today that the debt has been settled, and it’s confident it can head off the bankruptcy action…

Sam Taylor • 26 Sep 2024

AI • 3 min read

Musicians face “David and Goliath” battle with AI companies that could see “British Music consigned to history” says MU boss in Labour Party conference speech

It was the Labour Party conference this week and delegates passed a motion on AI that was backed by the Musicians’ Union. It calls on government to ensure that AI policies balance the interests of workers and businesses, which, for the MU, also means balancing the interests of musicians and labels…

Chris Cooke • 26 Sep 2024