Music News Stream

RSS Jan 20, 2026 12:41pm · Music Business WorldWide

UMG strikes licensing deal with NetEase Cloud Music for China including ‘artist-centric’ terms covering AI, plans to expand Super VIP tier

The agreement includes provisions addressing artificial intelligence, with both companies committing to what they called artist-centric AI principles. Source

RSS Jan 20, 2026 11:45am · Music Business WorldWide

Matt Spetzler’s Jamen Capital launches $200M-backed independent music financing platform, Pipeline

The Jamen Capital-backed firm says that its launch comes at a "pivotal moment for the global music industry" Source

RSS Jan 20, 2026 8:03am · Musically

Udio strikes another licensing deal – this time with Merlin

AI-music firm Udio has signed its third significant licensing deal. Its agreement with indie licensing agency Merlin. The post is from Music Ally.

RSS Jan 20, 2026 8:02am · Music Business WorldWide

Udio strikes AI licensing deal with Merlin after UMG and Warner Music settlements

The deal includes terms intended to protect what the companies called “the value of human artistry.” Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 8:36pm · Music Business WorldWide

On… Warner’s cutbacks, and the bigger story.

The following article originally appeared in Tim Ingham’s latest ‘Tim’s Take’ email, issued exclusively to MBW+ subscribers. Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 8:29pm · Music Business WorldWide

Max Lousada and Julie Greenwald have quietly registered two companies together. The structure might be telling.

The two companies – 26.2 Music Ltd and 26.2 Services Ltd – were established in November last year, according to UK Companies House Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 7:25pm · Music Business WorldWide

AI music firm Udio is hiring for a Head of Artist Partnerships to lead negotiations with the music industry

Successful candidate will 'define and lead how artists engage with Udio at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth' Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 6:32pm · Hypebot

Songs in the Key of Change: a Martin Luther King Jr. Playlist

Today, January 19, 2026, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. From the team here at Hypebot, we're sharing a playlist of tracks that were inspired by or speak to the musical legacy of Dr. King's historic influence on the Civil Rights Movement. The post Songs in the Key of Change: a Martin Luther King Jr. Playlist appeared first on Hypebot.

RSS Jan 19, 2026 6:28pm · Music Business WorldWide

Bruno Crolot exits role as President, Label & Artist Solutions at Believe

MBW first reported last summer that Crolot was leaving his previous position as Spotify’s Senior Director, Head of International Music, for a role at Believe Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 6:11pm · Music Business WorldWide

Sphere Entertainment reveals first ‘mini Sphere’ location in US

The company has confirmed plans to develop a 6,000-capacity 'mini Sphere' at National Harbor in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 6:10pm · Music Business WorldWide

Harri Davies joins The Other Songs as Head of A&R

Davies arrives following senior A&R role at RCA Records UK Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 5:04pm · Hypebot

Australia Will See 38% Increase in Radio Royalty Rates After Copyright Tribunal Ruling

In a decision that could reshape how recorded music is valued on airwaves, the Copyright Tribunal of Australia has set a new royalty rate for the broadcast of sound recordings by commercial radio stations. The post Australia Will See 38% Increase in Radio Royalty Rates After Copyright Tribunal Ruling appeared first on Hypebot.

RSS Jan 19, 2026 3:45pm · Hypebot

Is “Shifting Focus” the Key to Playing With More Freedom on Stage?

Dr. Noa Kageyama, PhD dissects some advice from a piano teacher on how not to overthink small details during live performance play. The post Is “Shifting Focus” the Key to Playing With More Freedom on Stage? appeared first on Hypebot.

RSS Jan 19, 2026 3:15pm · Music Business WorldWide

Jerome Porritt named Head of A&R at RCA Records UK

Porritt, who brings over a decade of experience in A&R, was most recently Head of A&R at Warner Records and Parlophone UK Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 3:14pm · Music Business WorldWide

AI-created track blocked from Sweden’s Official Charts after racking up millions of streams on Spotify

The AI artist behind the track has gained over 935,800 monthly listeners on Spotify. Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 3:09pm · Music Business WorldWide

Tiny Vinyl has released collectible records by Chappell Roan, Rihanna, KATSEYE, and more superstars. Now its expanding into Europe.

Tiny Vinyl's collectible four-inch records can play up to 4 minutes of music per side Source

RSS Jan 19, 2026 2:13pm · Hypebot

Your Morning Coffee Podcast: Luminate 2025 Data, Music Authorship, Streaming, More.

Episode 285 of Jay Gilbert and Mike Etchart's podcast Your Morning Coffee: Weekly News for the New Music Business is available now. The post Your Morning Coffee Podcast: Luminate 2025 Data, Music Authorship, Streaming, More. appeared first on Hypebot.

RSS Jan 19, 2026 2:03pm · Hypebot

🔥 How Artists Can Turn a Good Live Performance Into an Unforgettable One

You've been playing local shows, performing on stage more often, tightening your rehearsals. Now it's time to really focus on creating something memorable. Let's talk about it! The post 🔥 How Artists Can Turn a Good Live Performance Into an Unforgettable One appeared first on Hypebot.

RSS Jan 19, 2026 1:45pm · Musically

Amazon Music, Spotify and Shazam’s picks of the Indian artists to watch in 2026

A handful of Indian acts appear on international DSPs’ picks of the artists to watch in 2026. Three are on Amazon Music’s list of “emerging artists it expects to make […] The post is from Music Ally.

RSS Jan 19, 2026 1:30pm · Musically

TikTok is now in the micro-dramas game with PineDrama app

We’ve been following the emergence of ‘micro-dramas’ – soapy TV shows made for viewing in one-minute episodes on mobile phones. But it seems TikTok has also taken notice of this latest online-video trend. The company has quietly launched its own micro-dramas app, called PineDrama, in the US and Brazil. “Immerse yourself in short dramas without ads, any time,” is […] The post is from Music Ally.