Trying to score a big hit as a songwriter is tough enough, and chances are if you’re successful, you’ll end up in court on the losing end of a copyright infringement suit. This is precisely what happened to Katy Perry after an LA court deemed her hit "Dark Horse" sounded…
Category archives: Major Labels
Apple Hi-Res Streaming Has Arrived With Apple Digital Masters
After sitting on a stockpile of high-resolution audio masters for a while now, Apple has finally decided to launch its often rumored hi-res streaming service, joining the ranks of other platforms like TIDAL and Deezer, who also provide this premium quality tier. ______________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music…
Tencent Would Be The Real Winner In Any Deal With UMG
Chinese media giant Tencent is in talks to buy a 10% chunk of Universal Music Group, with an option for an additional 10%. This acquisition by a massive tech company benefitsTencent more than UMG and implications for the music industry as a whole. ________________________________ Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of…
Portia Sabin Named President Music Business Association
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) has named respected industry veteran Dr. Portia Sabin as President. The trade group advocates on behalf of the music industry. The organization’s current longtime president James Donio will be stepping down from the post, but will continue in an advisory role, Music Biz said…
Payola At Radio Never Went Away, says New Report
Broadcast radio has been rocked by at least two payola scandals in the 1960s and again in 2004. But payola – the illegal practice of paying to be played on the radio – is still rampant in the US, according to multiple reports. ___________________________________ “Everyone knows it’s there,” Allen Kovac,…
Why Tencent Wants A Stake in UMG [Mark Mulligan]
Yesterday Vivendi confirmed that it was in talks with Chinese internet giant Tencent to acquire a 10-20% stake in global leader Universal Music Group at a $33.6 billion valuation. MIDiA analyst Mark Mulligan looks at why Tencent might want to invest as much as $6.7 billion in UMG. _______________________________________ By…
Sony Music’s Thread Shop Acquires Araca Group To Expand Merch Operation
Sony Music’s music merch division, The Thread Shop has acquired the music merch department of The Araca Group for an undisclosed sum. Araca Group’s merch division clients include Led Zeppelin, P!nk, Shania Twain, Sugarland and Zayn. That roster now shifts to The Thread Shop alongside their clients which include Bob…
Sony Artists, Songwriters Can Now Get Paid More Quickly
Despite many technological advances, getting major labels and publishers to pay out quickly has remained a challenge. It seems that Sony Music and Sony/ATV, however, are making an effort to expedite things for artists and songwriters, offering real-time processing, and a new "cash out" service. ______________________________ Guest post by Bobby…
Warner Music Group Reports Another Solid Quarter
Warner Music Group reported a solid Q3 that mirrors gains throughout the recorded music industry driven by streaming, Total quarterly revenue grew 10.4% with 12.5% growth in streaming revenue. Highlights • Total revenue grew 10.4% or was up 13.4% in constant currency • Digital revenue grew 12.5% or was up…
Tencent In Talks To Acquire Up To 20% Of UMG
Chinese internet giant Tencent is in talks to acquire a stake in Univeral Music Group, both companies have confirmed. Earlier this year, UMG parent Vivendi announced plans to sell as much as 50% of the world’s biggest music group. Under the proposed deal, Tencent would first acquire a 10% stake…