Heather Vassar Appointed Senior Vice President, Nashville at The Orchard
The Orchard has named Heather Vassar as Senior Vice President of its Nashville division, bringing over a decade of leadership experience from her tenure at EMPIRE where she launched and grew its Nashville arm. Vassar’s track record includes multiple Billboard Hot 100 placements and billions of streams, underscoring her ability to develop breakout artists. In her new role she will drive The Orchard’s footprint in Nashville, deepen relationships with independent musicians, and expand global distribution for local clients. The appointment also signals The Orchard’s commitment to elevating women into senior music‑industry positions.
Sony Music Acquires Nordic Dance Label One Seven Music, Taps Co-Founder Janus Barnewitz as New MD of Sony Music Denmark
Sony Music Entertainment has acquired the Nordic dance label One Seven Music and appointed its co‑founder Janus Barnewitz as Managing Director of Sony Music Denmark. The deal builds on a 14‑year partnership, though financial terms were not disclosed. Barnewitz, who previously led disco:wax...
France’s Recorded Music Revenues Hit $1.21B in 2025, up 3.9% YoY; Subscription Streaming Revenues Grew 5.9% YoY
France’s recorded‑music market generated €1.071 billion (≈ $1.21 billion) in 2025, a 3.9% year‑over‑year increase and the tenth consecutive year of growth. Streaming remained dominant, with total streaming revenues surpassing €700 million ($794 million) and paid‑subscription revenue rising 5.9% to €553 million ($625 million). Vinyl sales surged...
Live Nation Invests in Romania’s Emagic and Slovakia’s Vivien as It Expands Central and Eastern European Footprint
Live Nation announced strategic investments in Romania’s Emagic and Slovakia’s Vivien, bolstering its presence across Central and Eastern Europe. The moves aim to increase local concert capacity, reduce fan travel, and tap into a market where nearly half of music...
Confirmed: Primary Wave Music to Acquire Kobalt From Francisco Partners
Primary Wave Music has agreed to acquire Kobalt, a leading independent publishing and technology platform, in a deal valued at over $1.5 billion. Brookfield will co‑invest, reinforcing a partnership that began with a $2 billion funding arrangement in 2022. Kobalt will stay...
Sony Music Has Targeted 135,000+ Deepfakes of Its Artists’ Music for Removal From Streaming Platforms
Sony Music has identified over 135,000 AI‑generated deepfake songs impersonating artists on its roster and is urging streaming platforms to remove them. The deepfakes, which include tracks attributed to Beyoncé, Queen and Harry Styles, represent only a fraction of the...
Recorded Music Revenues in Italy Grew +10.7% YoY Last Year; Paid Streaming Revenues in the Market Jumped 14.1% YoY
Italy’s recorded‑music market posted $579 million in 2025 revenues, up 10.7% year‑on‑year, driven primarily by a 14.1% surge in paid‑subscription streaming that now accounts for 69% of streaming income. Total streaming revenue reached €340 million, while physical sales jumped 21.9% with vinyl...
Subscription Music Streaming Revenues Rose Just 2% YoY in Sweden in 2025
Sweden’s recorded‑music market expanded 3% in 2025, reaching over SEK 2.3 billion, with paid‑subscription streaming shouldering most growth. Subscription‑based audio streaming generated SEK 1.95 billion, representing 85% of total music revenue and rising 2% year‑on‑year. Ad‑supported streaming increased 9% to SEK 124.3 million, while digital downloads...
Janet Jackson Signs Global Deal with Believe Music Publishing
Janet Jackson has signed a long‑term global publishing administration agreement with Believe Music Publishing, transferring her entire songwriting catalog to the newly launched division. The deal, announced on March 19, 2026, adds a high‑profile legacy catalog to Believe’s portfolio, which...
Instrument Maker Roland Launches AI Melody Generator Powered by Research From Sony Computer Science Laboratories
Japanese instrument maker Roland has unveiled Melody Flip, an AI‑powered melody‑generation plug‑in for major digital audio workstations. Developed with Sony Computer Science Laboratories, the software analyzes an imported track’s musical DNA and offers melodic, chord, bass and drum suggestions drawn from...
Tencent Music Now Has 20M+ ‘Super VIP’ Subscribers. Here’s What that Means for China’s Largest Music Streamer.
Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) announced that its Super VIP (SVIP) tier surpassed 20 million subscribers at the end of 2025, up from 15 million in Q2 2025 and 10 million a year earlier. SVIP now accounts for roughly 15.7% of TME’s 127.4 million paying...
In Latest Move in India, Universal Music Forms Exclusive Partnership with Albuquerque Records, the New Label From Singer and Composer...
Universal Music India has signed an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the new label founded by celebrated South Indian composer Anirudh Ravichander. The agreement will see both parties co‑release pop and hip‑hop tracks from Anirudh and emerging artists signed to...
Matt Young Named CEO of UMG’s Bravado, as Dan Goldberg and Eric Mackay Join Amy Zaglauer & Rachel Redfearn on...
Universal Music Group’s Bravado division has promoted President Matt Young to CEO, reinforcing its senior leadership with new hires across strategy, digital, and artist services. The team now includes Eric Mackay as General Manager, Dan Goldberg as SVP of Strategy...
Trump Administration to Receive $10B Fee for Its Role in US TikTok Deal (Report)
The Trump administration will receive roughly $10 billion from investors who acquired TikTok’s U.S. operations, a fee‑plus arrangement reported by the Wall Street Journal. Investors initially paid $2.5 billion to the Treasury when the deal closed in January, but the larger payment...
Alibaba Wants to Be a Global Ticketing Player — Starting with Malaysia Tour Stop for Chinese Rap Superstar GAI
Alibaba’s live‑entertainment arm, through its ticketing platform MAISEAT, landed its first primary ticketing contract outside China for Chinese rap star GAI’s concert in Kuala Lumpur. The presale tickets sold out within days, underscoring strong demand for cross‑border events. MAISEAT, part...
From Chance the Rapper’s Courtroom Revelations to Live Nation’s DOJ Settlement… It’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up
This week’s Music Business Worldwide roundup highlighted five major developments. A Chicago court hearing revealed key details in Chance the Rapper’s $3.8 million commission dispute with former manager Patrick Corcoran. Concord expanded its European reach by acquiring London‑based indie label Ninja Tune,...
MBW Just Launched Music Business Worldwide Magazine. Have You Subscribed Yet?
Music Business Worldwide has introduced its first print and digital publication, MBW Magazine, rolling out six issues per year from California. The inaugural volume features high‑profile interviews with industry figures who have driven billion‑dollar deals, K‑pop transformations, and major publishing...
Slipstream Acquires Hollywood Production Music Library Megatrax, Adding 200,000 Tracks to Its Catalog
Production music platform Slipstream has acquired Los Angeles‑based library Megatrax, adding over 200,000 tracks to its catalog and establishing a direct sales operation in Latin America. The deal, financed by Pollen Street Capital, expands Slipstream’s total catalog to more than...
The Problem with AI Companies ‘Starting Fresh’.
The article warns that AI music platforms have built their models on unlicensed recordings, especially from independent artists, and are now proposing “walled‑garden” licensing schemes with major labels. While Warner has struck a dual‑use deal, Suno and other firms reject...
Concord Acquires UK-Based Indie Label Ninja Tune Records
Concord announced the acquisition of London‑based independent label Ninja Tune, bringing both its recorded‑music catalog and publishing arm Just Isn’t Music under Concord’s umbrella. The deal adds a roster that includes The Prodigy, Bonobo, Flying Lotus and many other electronic...
Future Islands Sign Exclusive Global Deal with Universal Music Publishing
Universal Music Publishing Group has signed Baltimore synth‑pop band Future Islands to an exclusive global publishing deal covering their back catalogue and future works. The agreement coincides with the band’s 20th anniversary and the UK Top 10 entry of their 2024...
Venu Secures $86M in Oversubscribed Public Offering, CEO Says: ‘We Just Raised a Ton of Money.’
Venu Holding announced an $86 million oversubscribed public equity offering, selling 18.75 million shares at $4 each and adding warrants for additional purchases. The capital will fund new venues in Texas and Oklahoma, repay a $4.35 million promissory note, and support working capital....
Warner Music Group Signs New $1.645bn Credit Agreement with JPMorgan, Refinancing Existing Debt
Warner Music Group’s subsidiary WMG Acquisition Corp. has secured a $1.645 billion credit agreement with JPMorgan, consolidating its fragmented 2012‑era debt into a single package. The deal includes a $1.295 billion term loan to retire existing term‑loan obligations and a $350 million revolving...
Dionne Warwick Sues Rights Company over Alleged ‘Pilfering of Millions’ in Royalty Income
Dionne Warwick has filed counterclaims against Artists Rights Enforcement Corporation (AREC) in the Southern District of New York, accusing the firm of siphoning millions of dollars in royalty income over a 23‑year relationship. Warwick seeks at least $1 million in punitive...
‘Creating Superfans Requires Emotional Thinking, Not Just Analytics.’
Universal Music Group’s CEO Lucian Grainge highlighted superfans as a massively under‑monetized segment, noting the company’s 1,600 direct‑to‑consumer stores now generate hundreds of millions in revenue. Goldman Sachs projects the superfan opportunity to reach $4.3 billion annually by 2026, while Luminate...
The MLC and Pandora Clash in Opposition Briefs as Mechanical Royalties Battle Nears Decisive Stage
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) and Pandora Media have each filed opposition briefs in their ongoing lawsuit over whether Pandora’s ad‑supported “Pandora Free” service should be treated as an interactive service subject to mechanical royalties. The MLC argues that three...
Hari Nair to Exit as CEO of India’s Tips Music
Hari Nair will step down as CEO of publicly listed Tips Music on April 30, ending a 17‑month tenure that began in September 2023. During his time, Nair steered the company toward a software‑led, data‑first digital model and delivered consistent...
Reservoir Strikes Worldwide Publishing Admin Deal with Hans Zimmer, Expanding Relationship with Academy Award-Winning Composer
Reservoir Media announced a worldwide publishing‑administration agreement with Academy‑Award‑winning composer Hans Zimmer, giving the company control over his extensive catalog through Remote Control Publishing. Zimmer’s body of work spans more than 200 projects and has generated over $30 billion in global box‑office...
Edward Matthew Named VP, International A&R and Head of Creative for Scandinavia at Warner Chappell
Warner Chappell Music has appointed Edward Matthew as Vice President of International A&R and Head of Creative for Scandinavia, operating from Stockholm and reporting to Shani Gonzales and Lars Karlsson. Matthew, founder of the Stockholm‑based Lilly Raye Music, has partnered with Warner Chappell since 2019, with...
GEMA Vs. Suno: German Court Hears Landmark AI Music Copyright Case
Germany’s collecting society GEMA sued AI music generator Suno, alleging the platform trained on and reproduced copyrighted recordings without permission. The Munich court heard oral arguments on March 9 and set a decision date for June 12, 2026. The case follows GEMA’s earlier...
AEG International Global Partnerships Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Promotions
AEG International has promoted nine executives within its Global Partnerships division, elevating three to Senior Vice President and six to Vice President roles. The promotions aim to strengthen partner experience, improve global alignment, and support the company’s expanding sponsorship and...
Ed Sheeran’s Lawyers Push to End Remaining ‘Thinking Out Loud’ Copyright Case
US Supreme Court declined to hear the 2018 Ed Sheeran copyright appeal, but a second lawsuit filed by Structured Asset Sales in 2020 remains pending in the Southern District of New York. Sheeran’s attorneys argue the case should be dismissed...
Live Nation Reaches Settlement with DOJ in Antitrust Battle, Politico Reports
Live Nation Entertainment reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, ending a high‑profile antitrust case that threatened to split Ticketmaster from its parent. The agreement requires a roughly $200 million payment to participating states and mandates structural reforms, including...
From Sir Lucian Grainge on AI and Downtown, to Create Raising $450M at a $2.2B Valuation… It’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up
Universal Music Group reported 9% year‑over‑year growth, highlighting AI partnerships and the integration of its Downtown Music acquisition. Create Music Group closed a $450 million financing round, valuing the company at $2.2 billion. Warner Music Group’s CEO framed AI as a new...
Kobalt Inks Worldwide Sub Publishing and Admin Deal with the UK’s Sync Music Global
UK‑based indie publisher Sync Music Global has entered a worldwide sub‑publishing and administration agreement with Kobalt. The deal gives Kobalt responsibility for global administration of Sync’s catalog and includes a joint venture to co‑sign writers and accelerate market expansion. Sync’s...
Suicideboys Sued in the UK by Rough Trade and Beggars Music over Alleged Unauthorized Sample (Report)
US hip‑hop duo $uicideboy$ faces a lawsuit in the UK after allegedly sampling composer Mica Levi’s BAFTA‑nominated score for the film Under the Skin without permission. The disputed track, “What the Fuck is Happening,” contains a 1‑minute‑23‑second excerpt of Levi’s...
Sir Lucian Grainge Talks AI Strategy, Downtown, D2C, Superfans, and More on UMG’s Latest Earnings Call
Universal Music Group reported a near‑9% year‑over‑year increase in both revenue and Adjusted EBITDA for 2025, with Q4 revenue hitting €3.605 billion, a 10.6% rise at constant currency. The earnings call highlighted four strategic pillars—artist services, geographic expansion, super‑fan initiatives, and...
UMG Puts US Listing Plans on Hold
Universal Music Group announced it is putting its planned secondary listing on a U.S. exchange on hold, citing turbulent market conditions that have created a valuation dislocation. The decision follows a confidential Form F‑1 filing and a $500 million commitment from Pershing...
Spain’s Recorded Music Market Grew 13.7% in 2025… with Subscription Streaming Revenues up 19.2% YoY
Spain’s recorded music market posted €409.5 million in wholesale revenue for 2025, up 13.7 % year‑on‑year. Subscription streaming drove most growth, generating €214 million and rising 19.2 % YoY, representing 71.3 % of streaming income. Physical formats rebounded, with vinyl sales up 44.9 % and overall...
Universal Music Generated $4.19B in Q4, up 10.6% YoY – Driven by Taylor Swift, KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack, Olivia Dean,...
Universal Music Group posted Q4 2025 revenue of €3.605 billion ($4.19 billion), a 10.6% year‑over‑year increase at constant currency. Recorded‑music revenue climbed 13.9% to €2.769 billion, led by a 7.7% rise in subscription streaming and a 21.3% jump in physical sales driven by vinyl....
Andrea Czapary Martin to Exit as CEO of the UK’s PRS for Music at the End of 2026
PRS for Music announced that CEO Andrea Czapary Martin will step down at the end of 2026. Martin, who joined in 2019, led the society through the pandemic, launched an Emergency Relief Fund, and oversaw a move to a new...
Idris Elba-Owned Indie Label 7Wallace Strikes Strategic Partnership with Nas’ Mass Appeal Records
Idris Elba’s independent label 7Wallace has entered a strategic partnership with Nas’ Mass Appeal Records, creating a transatlantic platform for co‑releases, cross‑market distribution, and joint music‑film projects. The alliance builds on a prior collaboration on Slick Rick’s *VICTORY* album and its accompanying...
South Korea’s Music Industry Unites to Declare ‘War’ on AI Copyright Infringement
South Korea’s six leading music‑industry bodies have formed a coalition to combat AI‑driven copyright infringement, declaring a state of emergency and a "war" on unauthorized use. The group, chaired by KOMCA president Lee Si‑ha, issued a joint declaration demanding consent‑based...
Apple Music Launches AI Transparency Tags — but only if Labels and Distributors Declare Them
Apple Music announced Transparency Tags, a new metadata requirement that forces record labels and distributors to label AI‑generated artwork, tracks, compositions, and music videos. The tags are optional for now but will become mandatory for future deliveries, placing disclosure responsibility...
Charlie Puth Joins AI Music Creation Platform Moises as Chief Music Officer
Charlie Puth has been appointed Chief Music Officer of AI music platform Moises. Moises, backed by $52 million total funding and a recent $40 million Series A led by Connect Ventures, claims over 70 million users across 33 languages. The startup differentiates itself...
Michael Riggs Promoted to SVP, Licensing & Income Tracking at Sony Music Publishing
Sony Music Publishing has elevated Michael Riggs to Senior Vice President of Licensing & Income Tracking, expanding his oversight to licensing, sync administration, global income tracking, and client audit teams. Based in Nashville, Riggs will focus on strengthening tracking operations...
Sony Sued by Lit, the Band Behind Pop-Punk Hit ‘My Own Worst Enemy,’ over Alleged Unpaid Streaming Royalties
Lit, the band behind the 1999 hit “My Own Worst Enemy,” has sued Sony Music Entertainment for allegedly underpaying more than $800,000 in streaming royalties. The lawsuit claims Sony applied a flat 14% rate instead of the contract‑specified net‑receipts formula...
Damon Whiteside to Step Down as Academy of Country Music CEO
Damon Whiteside will step down as CEO of the Academy of Country Music in June 2026, transitioning to CEO Emeritus for the remainder of the year. During his six‑and‑a‑half‑year tenure, ACM achieved its largest, most diverse membership base and saw...
Tony Van De Berkt Appointed CEO of Universal Music Netherlands
Universal Music Central Europe has named 8Ball Music founder Tony van de Berkt as the new CEO of Universal Music Netherlands, effective immediately. He succeeds Kees van der Hoeven, who will retire in December 2025, and will report to Frank Briegmann, Chairman & CEO of Universal...
Matt Spetzler’s $200m-Backed Pipeline Acquires Music Valuation Firm Clarty
Pipeline, the $200 million‑backed indie music financing platform launched by Matt Spetzler’s Jamen Capital, has acquired the core assets and intellectual property of valuation firm Clarty Partners. The deal brings Clarty’s proprietary valuation technology, royalty‑ingestion systems, and analytical infrastructure into Pipeline,...
