Media - CMU | the music business explained

BBC Introducing criticised for featuring AI-generated track in Artist Of The Month spot

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BBC • 2 min read

BBC Introducing criticised for featuring AI-generated track in Artist Of The Month spot

A local edition of ‘BBC Introducing’ has caused controversy within the music community by featuring an entirely AI-generated track in its Artist Of The Month spot. Critics say that, with so little airtime available for new music, the BBC shouldn’t be using that airtime to spotlight AI tracks…

Chris Cooke • 17 Nov 2025

Manchester Evening News pays damages after incorrectly labelling Bob Vylan’s “sun salutation” as a Nazi salute

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Bob Vylan • 3 min read

Manchester Evening News pays damages after incorrectly labelling Bob Vylan’s “sun salutation” as a Nazi salute

When reporting last month on opposition to Bob Vylan’s Manchester show, the Manchester Evening News accused the duo of “performing Nazi salutes” on stage. But those gestures were, in fact, a pre-gig “sun salutation”. The newspaper has now corrected its error and paid “substantial damages”…

Chris Cooke • 10 Nov 2025

Bobby Vylan says he has no regrets about “death to the IDF” chant at Glastonbury

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Bob Vylan • 4 min read

Bobby Vylan says he has no regrets about “death to the IDF” chant at Glastonbury

Bobby Vylan has spoken to Louis Theroux about his controversial BBC broadcast Glastonbury performance, insisting he doesn’t regret leading the crowd in a chant of “death, death to the IDF”. The BBC Editorial Complaints Unit recently concluded that the set breached rules relating to harm and offence…

Chris Cooke • 21 Oct 2025

US musicians’ union says ABC’s cancellation of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ is “state censorship”

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Media • 3 min read

US musicians’ union says ABC’s cancellation of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ is “state censorship”

Under pressure from Trump and US media regulator the FCC, Disney-owned ABC has suspended ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ over comments made on the show about the murder of Charlie Kirk. The American Federation Of Musicians, who has members affected by the suspension, says the move constitutes “state censorship”…

Chris Cooke • 18 Sep 2025

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

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YouTube • 3 min read

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

YouTube is now second only to the BBC when it comes to at-home video consumption, according to a new report from OfCom. The regulator considers what that means for traditional public service broadcasters like the BBC, having recently suggested new laws to force YouTube to sign-post their content…

Chris Cooke • 31 Jul 2025

BBC Glasto team had authority to cut Bob Vylan stream says chief - but he keeps schtum about what was discussed

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BBC • 3 min read

BBC Glasto team had authority to cut Bob Vylan stream says chief - but he keeps schtum about what was discussed

BBC boss Tim Davie has responded to questions from MPs over the broadcast of Bob Vylan’s controversial performance at Glastonbury last month. He says an internal investigation is ongoing, but confirms BBC staff on the ground did have the authority to cut the stream of the performance…

Chris Cooke • 15 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

Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn says OfCom’s decision to block BBC Radio 2 spin-off is “disgraceful”

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BBC • 2 min read

Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn says OfCom’s decision to block BBC Radio 2 spin-off is “disgraceful”

The BBC’s plan to launch a new Radio 2 spin-off playing just golden oldies has been blocked by media regulator OfCom, a decision welcomed by commercial rivals, but criticised by the BBC and one of its presenters, Tony Blackburn. Three other new BBC spin-off stations have been given the go ahead…

Chris Cooke • 03 Jul 2025

As ministers demand answers from Glastonbury and BBC, Bob Vylan say it’s all a “distraction” from the government’s “criminal inaction” on Gaza

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Bob Vylan • 4 min read

As ministers demand answers from Glastonbury and BBC, Bob Vylan say it’s all a “distraction” from the government’s “criminal inaction” on Gaza

Controversy continues to build over Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set. The duo are subject to a criminal investigation and have had US visas revoked, although the Jewish artist they were due to support there has backed his musical collaborators. Criticism of the BBC for broadcasting the set also continues…

Chris Cooke • 01 Jul 2025

“Fair play” to Eavis family for standing up to political pressure say Kneecap, as BBC “regrets” not pulling plug on Bob Vylan

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BBC • 5 min read

“Fair play” to Eavis family for standing up to political pressure say Kneecap, as BBC “regrets” not pulling plug on Bob Vylan

After the BBC decided not to broadcast Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance live, so it could edit out any controversial bits, it was Bob Vylan’s preceding set that prompted outrage. The BBC now says it should have pulled its live broadcast when Bobby Vylan started chanting “Death Death To The IDF”…

Chris Cooke • 30 Jun 2025

Former Irish premier thought Keir Starmer’s Kneecap Glastonbury intervention must be a joke

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Kneecap • 2 min read

Former Irish premier thought Keir Starmer’s Kneecap Glastonbury intervention must be a joke

Kneecap are due to play Glastonbury this weekend and that fact is causing some controversy. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told The Sun the group shouldn’t be playing. The former Irish Taoiseach has responded, bemused as to why Starmer would express an opinion on Glastonbury’s booking policies…

Chris Cooke • 23 Jun 2025

If Congress forces AM radio into every car, it should also force AM radio to pay artists, says open letter to US lawmakers

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Radio royalties • 3 min read

If Congress forces AM radio into every car, it should also force AM radio to pay artists, says open letter to US lawmakers

Proposals are moving through US Congress that would force car manufacturers to ensure that every vehicle still has an AM radio in it. The automotive sector has now joined with the music industry to argue: if that is going to happen, US radio should be forced to pay royalties to artists and labels…

Chris Cooke • 05 Jun 2025