Dylan Smith

Exactuals Pops the Champagne After Crossing $1 Billion In Total Payments Processed

January 29, 2021

Exactuals has processed over $1 billion in total payments through its PaymentHub product, company officials revealed today. Exactuals announced PaymentHub’s payment-processing accomplishment – and 250 percen... Read More...

Cox Communications Moves to Delay Its $1 Billion Payment to the Major Labels

Dylan Smith

January 29, 2021

Earlier this month, a federal court upheld the $1 billion copyright infringement penalty that a jury levied against Cox Communications back in December of 2019. Now, the mega-ISP has moved to delay its billio... Read More...

Vivendi shareholders approve plan for UMG IPO

Universal Music Group’s IPO Is Roughly 12 Months Away — And Tencent Officially Owns a 20% Stake

Dylan Smith

January 29, 2021

Universal Music Group’s much-anticipated IPO is potentially less than 12 months away, and Chinese conglomerate Tencent officially has a 20 percent interest in the Viviendi-owned company. Paris-headquartered ... Read More...

Music Industry Hires: Warner Music, RCA, Spotify, More

Dylan Smith

January 29, 2021

Alen Torosyan, WMG's new vice president of operations for emerging markets. Photo Credit: Warner Music Group Here’s a recap of recent executive shuffles — including both hirings and in-house promotions — from... Read More...

Distrokid Launches a ‘Matchmaking Service’ for Artists Seeking Label Deals

Dylan Smith

January 29, 2021

DistroKid has launched a “matchmaking service,” Upstream, for artists who are seeking record-label deals. DistroKid founder Philip Kaplan recently unveiled this artist-label “matchmaking service.” The “free,... Read More...

PRS’ Livestream License Faces Serious Backlash — “The Worst Possible Decision at the Worst Possible Time”

Dylan Smith

January 28, 2021

Photo Credit: Heshan Perera Yesterday, PRS for Music unveiled an online portal through which livestream licenses can be purchased for small-scale remote gigs in the UK. Now, many organizations, artists, and v... Read More...

Spotify Is Testing a New System That Inserts ‘Slow Down’ Songs Into Playlists When Listeners Approach School Zones

Dylan Smith

January 28, 2021

Photo Credit: Lan56 Spotify is officially testing a new system that utilizes GPS technology to play “slow down” songs as on-road listeners approach and drive through school zones. The Australian Road Safety ... Read More...

Coachella In Talks to Develop a Massive COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Site

Dylan Smith

January 28, 2021

Coachella organizer Goldenvoice and Riverside County government officials are reportedly discussing the possibility of working together to open a massive COVID-19 vaccination site. Local reports pertaining t... Read More...

Warner Music Group and Rotana Music Prepare to Make Deal

Warner Music Group Is Eyeing a $200 Million Stake In Prince al-Waleed bin Talal’s Rotana Music

Dylan Smith

January 28, 2021

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo Credit: lawepw Warner Music Group is reportedly preparing to purchase a minority stake in Rotana Music, a record label owned by billionaire Saudi businessman Al-Waleed bin Talal. ... Read More...

Yes, SXSW Is Still Happening In 2021 — But Will People Pay $249 for Online Access?

Dylan Smith

January 27, 2021

Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: Carlos Alfonso Despite facing far-reaching financial obstacles and an uncertain future after a last-minute cancellation in 2020, SXSW is moving forward with its 2021 edition – alb... Read More...

Now There’s a Licensing Platform for Small-Scale Livestreams In the UK

Dylan Smith

January 27, 2021

PRS for Music has officially launched a licensing platform for small-scale livestreams in the United Kingdom. PRS for Music announced its one-stop licensing portal today, via a formal release that was emaile... Read More...

BTS agency Big Hit has partnered with Universal Music.

BTS Agency Big Hit Entertainment Prepares $63.2 Million Investment In YG Entertainment

Dylan Smith

January 27, 2021

BTS agency Big Hit Entertainment is reportedly preparing to invest $63.21 million (70 billion South Korean won) in Seoul-headquartered K-pop agency YG Entertainment. As part of this multimillion-dollar inves... Read More...

Author Dylan Smith