Music Business Worldwide News

1. UMG’s Michael Nash takes aim at ‘false narrative of artist replacement’ by AI – and 3 other things you might have missed from his HumanX panel with Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava

   The pair discussed UMG's approach to AI, including how the company balances protecting artists' rights with leaning into AI innovation

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2. Spotify strikes deal with National Independent Venue Association to boost indie venues in the US

   Throughout 2026, Spotify will boost visibility for independent venues through existing features including venue pages and its Live Events Feed.

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3. Chris Marking appointed Executive Vice President, International Venue Sponsorship at Live Nation

   Marking joins from AEG as the company expands global naming rights and brand partnership strategy across its international venue network.

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4. India added nearly 4m paid music streaming subscriptions in 2025, taking its total to 14.4m, according to new report

   However, the report found that of the 178 million people who streamed music in 2025, only about 8% were paying for it.

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5. Pirate site Anna’s Archive hit with $322M default judgment over music scraping — but will Spotify and record labels ever see the money?

   Whether the plaintiffs will ever see the $322 million award remains unclear, as Anna’s Archive’s operators remain anonymous.

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6. Mark Pitts exits as President of RCA Records, launches new management venture COFVNDERS

   He will maintain a relationship with RCA and Sony Music in a consultancy capacity

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7. Concord forms strategic venture with Steven Victor’s Victor Victor Worldwide, expands hip-hop footprint

   VVW has launched the careers of artists including Pop Smoke and Ski Mask the Slump God.

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8. Former UMG Nashville chief Cindy Mabe launches Joan of Arc Music, strikes distribution deal with Warner Records Nashville

   Joan of Arc Music operates across artist management, label services, publishing, TV/film production and philanthropy, with a distribution deal plugging into WMG's global network.

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9. UK collection org PPL’s revenue grew 4.75% YoY to $415m in FY 2025; paid out $102m to performers & rightsholders in Q1 2026

   In 2025, PPL paid royalties to more than 182,000 performers and recording rightsholders, including 16,000 who received payments for the first time.

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10. Larry Mestel to receive City of Hope’s 2026 Spirit of Life Award

    Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music recognized for industry leadership and commitment to advancing cancer research through partnership

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