IMPALA - CMU | the music business explained

IMPALA report warns European music diversity will erode without intervention on ownership, market access and infrastructure

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IMPALA • 6 min read

IMPALA report warns European music diversity will erode without intervention on ownership, market access and infrastructure

IMPALA has published a new report warning that - without regulatory intervention from European policymakers - cultural diversity in Europe will erode. It also proposes measures the EU could implement. The report comes amid growing concern about the dominance of US-based platforms in European markets…

Sam Taylor • 04 Feb 2026

As indie community calls again for Universal’s Downtown deal to be blocked, will UMG flog off Curve to get over regulators?

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Universal Music • 3 min read

As indie community calls again for Universal’s Downtown deal to be blocked, will UMG flog off Curve to get over regulators?

Universal Music has proposed a remedy to allay the European Commission’s concerns over its bid to buy Downtown Music. That may involve the major proposing to sell off Downtown’s Curve business. But the indie sector remains adamant that no remedies will work and the EC should block the deal outright…

Chris Cooke • 15 Dec 2025

Indie community welcomes EU’s ‘statement of objections’ over Universal’s Downtown deal

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Universal Music • 3 min read

Indie community welcomes EU’s ‘statement of objections’ over Universal’s Downtown deal

The European Commission yesterday confirmed it has sent a statement of objections to Universal regarding its bid to buy Downtown, raising data concerns, particularly in relation to Downtown’s Curve platform. Indie labels have welcomed the development and continue to argue the deal should be blocked…

Chris Cooke • 25 Nov 2025

European regulators warn Universal’s takeover of Downtown “will likely impede competition”

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Universal Music • 3 min read

European regulators warn Universal’s takeover of Downtown “will likely impede competition”

Competition regulators in the EU investigating Universal’s bid to buy Downtown are about to send the major a ‘statement of objections’ about the deal, which happens if regulators conclude a planned merger will “likely impede competition”. UMG will then have ten days to respond to those objections…

Chris Cooke • 19 Nov 2025

Universal’s Downtown deal must be blocked by regulators before “cultural diversity is weakened irreversibly” says Dutch indie label group president

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Universal Music • 3 min read

Universal’s Downtown deal must be blocked by regulators before “cultural diversity is weakened irreversibly” says Dutch indie label group president

The debate over Universal’s bid to buy Downtown continues. Kees van Weijen, President of Dutch indie label group STOMP and board member at IMPALA, has set out why he believes the EU competition regulator needs to step in before market consolidation irreversibly weakens cultural diversity in Europe…

Chris Cooke • 05 Sep 2025

“There comes a point when big is too big” says IMPALA boss as EU launches full UMG competition investigation

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Universal Music • 3 min read

“There comes a point when big is too big” says IMPALA boss as EU launches full UMG competition investigation

The European Commission yesterday announced it was launching a more in-depth ‘phase two’ investigation into Universal Music’s deal to buy Downtown Music. The indie sector has welcomed that development, with trade group IMPALA again calling for EU regulators to block the transaction…

Chris Cooke • 23 Jul 2025

European regulators won’t fall for UMG’s tricks a second time says IMPALA boss

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Helen Smith • 5 min read

European regulators won’t fall for UMG’s tricks a second time says IMPALA boss

In an op-ed published yesterday, IMPALA’s Helen Smith spells out why she believes European regulators will give an “outright no” to Universal’s Downtown deal. Having already taken regulatory action against Universal once before in 2012, the EC is unlikely to give the major a second bite of the cake…

Sam Taylor • 26 Jun 2025

EU regulators formally launch investigation into Universal Music’s Downtown deal

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Universal Music • 5 min read

EU regulators formally launch investigation into Universal Music’s Downtown deal

Universal Music’s $775 million bid to buy Downtown Music faces its first major hurdle as EU regulators launch a competition investigation. Indies are fighting to block the deal, warning it would give the major unprecedented control over distribution networks they rely on to reach fans…

Sam Taylor • 18 Jun 2025

Industry and policymakers should work together to stop two-tier streaming market taking hold, says new IMPALA report

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IMPALA • 3 min read

Industry and policymakers should work together to stop two-tier streaming market taking hold, says new IMPALA report

IMPALA has published a new report on the streaming business, criticising recent trends that are creating a two-tier market that favours the majors. It calls on industry and policymakers to work together to ensure a steaming ecosystem that “supports innovation, inclusivity and sustainable growth”…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jun 2025

EU competition regulator to investigate Universal’s Downtown deal

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Universal Music • 2 min read

EU competition regulator to investigate Universal’s Downtown deal

The EU’s competition regulator has announced it will investigate Universal Music’s deal to buy Downtown Music which, it says, “threatens to significantly affect competition” in the EU music market. The news has been welcomed by the indie music sector which has urged the regulator to block the deal…

Chris Cooke • 25 Apr 2025

Universal will spend billions to dominate emerging markets, says Grainge during Q4 earnings call as major sets out its “eat the world” strategies

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Universal Music • 6 min read

Universal will spend billions to dominate emerging markets, says Grainge during Q4 earnings call as major sets out its “eat the world” strategies

On yesterday’s Universal Music earnings call CEO Lucian Grainge revealed plans to spend billions on global acquisitions, targeting emerging markets where “massive piracy” previously prevented investment, in an extension to UMG’s recent, continuing and aggressive acquisition and investment strategy…

Sam Taylor • 07 Mar 2025

Universal “juggernaut” is crushing everything in its path says IMPALA as it asks regulators to see through “indie washing” of Downtown deal

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IMPALA • 3 min read

Universal “juggernaut” is crushing everything in its path says IMPALA as it asks regulators to see through “indie washing” of Downtown deal

IMPALA has again criticised Universal’s acquisition of Downtown, as well as confirming it is now in touch with multiple competition regulators in its bid to get the deal blocked. Those regulators, it adds, need to understand the impact the acquisition will have on access to market for indie labels…

Chris Cooke • 28 Feb 2025