Thanks to Streaming, Universal Music Group’s Q1 2019 Revenue Jumps 19.2% to $1.7 Billion

Vivendi has just revealed it may sell up to half of Universal Music Group to one or more partners. Ahead of its upcoming sale of up to 50% Universal Music Group (UMG), parent company Vivendi has posted strong financials for the first quarter of 2019. T…

UMG Reports 19% Revenue Gain, ‘Progress’ On Sale

Universal Music Group reported an 18.8% jump in revenue for the first quarter of 2019. The increase came as part of a strong financial report from parent Vivendi. Music subscription and streaming revenue grew 28.1% year-over-year. The company also reported that it is making progress on its plan to sell…

Despite Streaming’s Growth, Music Industry Remains Half The Size It Was In 1999

While paid streaming subscriptions have, in many circles, been billed as the savior of the music industry, the reality is that the business is still operating at a severely reduced capacity since the devastation visited on it in the early days of digital. __________________________ Guest post by James Shotwell of…

Major Labels Want Millions, But TikTok Says No

The three major label want millions in payments for the use of music on two hugely popular short music video apps, TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin. Deals between UMG, Sony, WMG and the Chinese owner of the apps, ByteDance, expire this spring, But after months of talks, the two…

Universal Music Group sale to Google ‘would be blocked’, says IMPALA

Last month MBW asked a huge question: Could Google buy Universal Music Group? Current UMG owner Vivendi is suspected to sell half, if not more of, the major music company for somewhere in the vicinity of $40 billion over the next year. Google parent co…

Universal becomes first major to license Nigeria-based music streaming service, uduX

uduX is Nigeria’s first domestically launched music streaming service
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Impala, AIM Express Concerns As Brexit, UMG Sale Loom

As Brexit uncertainty grows and suitors circle Universal Music Group, EU independent music trade groups IMPALA and AIM are calling on both the EU and the UK to ensure that the needs of the cultural and creative sectors are prioritized in negotiations. The IMPALA board held their board meeting in…

Verve Label Group CEO Departs Following a UMG Classics & Jazz Restructuring

Following global consumption growth of classical and jazz music, Universal Music Group has restructured its Classics and Jazz division. Early this morning, Universal Music Group (UMG) has confirmed that Verve Label Group President and CEO Danny Bennett…

Amidst Legal Battles in 3 Continents, Spotify Enters High-Stakes Talks with Each Major Label

Spotify remains entrenched in legal battles across three continents.  Will this ultimately hurt the company’s negotiating position? Nearly a year after its IPO, Spotify has reportedly entered into licensing agreement talks with the Big 3 – Universal, S…

Dickon Stainer takes over Verve Label Group in reshuffle as Danny Bennett exits UMG

Label group will now have a global artist development and marketing strategy
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