Universal Music Group revenue rose 18.6% on a constant currency basis (or 24% an actual basis) in the first 6 months of 2019, with streaming revenue growing an even more robust 25.5% using the same metric. Overall recorded music revenues hit a record high of $2.93 billion, up 16.9% on…
Category archives: Major Labels
Music Physical Product Issues Signals Upheaval Ahead
Although the sale of physical music is still a large part of the revenue pulled in by major labels, their whole-hearted embrace of streaming has caused them to neglect traditional retail sales, with some fairly disastrous results. ____________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0 The U.S. recorded music…
MTV Names VMA 2019 Nominees – The Complete List
MTV has unveiled the nominations for the 2019 VMAs. Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift lead with 10 nods each in categories including, “Video of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Best Pop.” Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X led the “Best New Artist” nominees. This year’s show will introduce…
Here is What Every Major Label, Subsidiary Earned In 2018, according to Billboard
The recorded music industry is growing again thanks to streaming, but by how much and who are the winners and losers? Because the three major labels only report overall recorded music revenue, Billboard used third part data to estimate the 2018 U.S. earnings of every major and major-controlled record label….
‘Old Town Road’ Ties For Longest #1 In US Chart History
Lil Nas X’s "Old Town Road" is tied for the title of longest-running #1 song in US chart history. Even the 2017 smash "Despacito" remix with Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Beiber could not match the 21 year old record. In 1995, Mariah Carey released her fifth album, Daydream,…
Saban Music Group Launches With $500 Million Investment
Billionaire investor Haim Saban, Chairman of Saban Capital Group, is teaming with music industry veteran Gustavo Lopez to launch Saban Music Group with a promised $500 million investment. SMG is positioned as a record label, international A&R, and artist development company built around offering ‘360 deals’ to artists. As part…
Sony Consolidates Records, Publishing Under Rob Stringer
Sony Corporation chief Kenichiro Yoshida has announced that the company will bring together its recorded music and music publishing businesses outside of Japan under the umbrella of Sony Music Group Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer will now run Sony Music Group as well as Sony Music Entertainment. According to…
Can Major Labels Survive The Indie Music Revolution?
At the heart of the music business almost since its inception, major labels have successfully weathered multiple challenges to their industry dominance. But as music once again reinvents itself, can the major labels continue cling to power? ____________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0 Major record labels have…
Who Are Winners And Losers In The New Music Industry?
Regardless of who’s getting the money, it is undeniable that streaming has made the music industry lucrative again. Now, as the business works to reinvent itself, are historically downtrodden artists finally coming out on top, or are record labels and management siphoning off all of the profits? _______________________________ Guest post…
New Copyright Office Regs Concerning Pre-72 Recordings
Here Chris Castle outlines some of the new regulations surrounding how the passage of the CLASSICS Act section of the MMA will effect pre-72 recording copyright owners, and the procedure for recovering statutory damages for infringement. ________________________ Guest post by Chris Castle of Music Tech Solutions Title II of the…