Dylan Smith

Judge Allows Universal Music Class-Action Lawsuit to Proceed; Suit Also Filed Against Sony Music

March 31, 2020

(photo: Bill Oxford) Earlier today, a U.S. District Court judge allowed a class-action lawsuit filed against Universal Music Group (UMG) to proceed. In February, five musicians submitted two class-action co... Read More...

StubHub: “It Is Currently Impossible for Us to Offer Immediate Cash Refunds”

Dylan Smith

March 31, 2020

(photo: Benjamin Sharpe) StubHub has officially responded to the recent controversy surrounding its refund policy amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As first reported on Digital Music News, some StubH... Read More...

Music Streaming Is Taking a Backseat to Netflix — But Audio’s Decline is Leveling Off

Dylan Smith

March 31, 2020

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(photo: YTCount) Expectedly, the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and its corresponding social distancing initiatives are affecting the way fans consume music and other entertainment. The viewership uptick enjoy... Read More...

Tencent Officially Closes Its $3.3 Billion, 10% Buyout of Universal Music Group

Dylan Smith

March 31, 2020

Photo Credit: Chris Yunker / CC by 2.0 Chinese conglomerate Tencent has officially acquired a 10 percent stake in Universal Music Group (UMG). Tencent and Vivendi, a French conglomerate and UMG’s parent comp... Read More...

Kobalt Confirms New Funding Round That May Exceed Well Over $100 Million

Kobalt Music Publishing’s Annual Revenue Surges ― But Losses Are Another Story

Dylan Smith

March 31, 2020

Kobalt Music Publishing experienced a major revenue uptick during the 2019 fiscal year, but the earnings boost was accompanied by substantial losses. Update: The following report specifically pertains to UK-... Read More...

Plácido Domingo, 79, Rides Out His Coronavirus Infection: “I Feel Fine”

Dylan Smith

March 31, 2020

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Plácido Domingo performs in Buenos Aires in 2011 (photo: Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires CC by 2.0) Famed opera singer Plácido Domingo has delivered a relatively positive bit of coronavirus news. Approx... Read More...

‘The Shining’ Composer Krzysztof Penderecki Dies at 86 After ‘Long and Serious Illness’

Dylan Smith

March 30, 2020

Krzysztof Penderecki in 2008 (photo: Adam Kumiszcza) Legendary Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki, whose work appeared in The Shining, The Exorcist, and other prominent films, has passed away at the age of ... Read More...

French Royalty Society SACEM Announces $6.6 Million Coronavirus Relief Fund

Dylan Smith

March 30, 2020

French royalty collection society SACEM has established a $6.6 million relief fund to support its members throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. SACEM’s board of directors met on Thursday, March 26t... Read More...

MIDEM 2020 Officially Cancelled, ‘Digital Edition’ Is In the Works

Dylan Smith

March 30, 2020

photo: Heng Yin Annual music industry event Midem has been cancelled because of coronavirus (COVID-19) fears; the event will proceed with a digital edition, which is currently being developed. Midem organize... Read More...

Disney Executive Bob Iger Gives Up $47.5 Million Salary as COVID-19 Crisis Worsens

Dylan Smith

March 30, 2020

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Disney Chairman/Former CEO Bob Iger has given up 100 percent of his salary to help his company amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger has agreed to forego drawing a salary until the coronaviru... Read More...

Sorry, StubHub Won’t Be Issuing Refunds to Ticketholders After All

Dylan Smith

March 30, 2020

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After promising to provide cancelled-event refunds to ticketholders amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, ticket resale platform StubHub has changed its tune. Now, fans are eligible to receive vouchers fo... Read More...

Kennedy Center Suspends Pay for Musicians Despite $25 Million Stimulus

Dylan Smith

March 30, 2020

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A view of the Kennedy Center from the Potomac River (photo: Tom) In a stunning development, Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter has revealed that all 96 members of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) wi... Read More...

Artist Branding Isn't Selling Out Anymore — But What's the New Balance?

Yes, Composers Can Make Money In Sports — Meet One of the Top Programmers In the Field

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Sync Licensing: It’s Much Bigger Than TV, Film, and Commercials

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One of These Three Companies Will Change Live Concerts Forever

Judge Allows Universal Music Class-Action Lawsuit to Proceed; Suit Also Filed Against Sony Music

StubHub: “It Is Currently Impossible for Us to Offer Immediate Cash Refunds”

Music Streaming Is Taking a Backseat to Netflix — But Audio’s Decline is Leveling Off

Tencent Officially Closes Its $3.3 Billion, 10% Buyout of Universal Music Group

Kobalt Music Publishing’s Annual Revenue Surges ― But Losses Are Another Story

‘The Shining’ Composer Krzysztof Penderecki Dies at 86 After ‘Long and Serious Illness’

French Royalty Society SACEM Announces $6.6 Million Coronavirus Relief Fund

MIDEM 2020 Officially Cancelled, ‘Digital Edition’ Is In the Works

Sorry, StubHub Won’t Be Issuing Refunds to Ticketholders After All

Kennedy Center Suspends Pay for Musicians Despite $25 Million Stimulus

Author Dylan Smith