February, 2022

Sony Music Entertainment inks multi-platform media deal with Sandbox Entertainment

Under the multi-year agreement, Sandbox Productions and SME will collaborate on the creation, production and distribution of scripted and unscripted content across TV, film and digital formats, including the development of a June Carter Cash documentary film. The companies have also partnered on the premiere of LOVE,TOM, a film narrated by Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe nominated songwriter Tom Douglas.

Source: Sony Music Entertainment inks multi-platform media deal with Jason Owen’s Sandbox Entertainment

Disney Music Group Says Russian Sanctions Are ‘A Big Blow For Us’

Peter Jansson, who since 2014 has served as senior manager of international music publishing within Disney Music Group, acknowledged the far-reaching financial effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in a message to his “fellow Music Publishers,” according to a copy of the comments that is circulating on social media.

Source: Disney Music Group Says Russian Sanctions Are ‘A Big Blow For Us’

Neil Diamond sells complete song catalog and all master recordings to Universal

UMG’s latest catalog deal comes just over two weeks after Sting sold his entire song catalog to Universal’s publishing division UMPG in a deal one expert industry source tells MBW reached a final acquisition fee north of $300 million. UMG hasn’t disclosed the price of the deal with Neil Diamond.

Source: Neil Diamond sells complete song catalog and all master recordings to Universal

Amazon Music to overtake Pandora as No. 2 US music streamer this year

According to estimates from Insider Intelligence (previously eMarketer), Amazon Music will surpass Pandora this year to become the music streamer with the second most number of users in the U.S. Notably, this study includes users on both paid and ad-supported plans for these services — so, while Apple Music has an estimated 38.2 million subscribers, compared to Amazon Music’s 52.6 million or Pandora’s 49.1 million, none of Apple’s subscribers are on a free, ad-supported plan.

Source: Amazon Music to overtake Pandora as No. 2 US music streamer this year

Jason Aldean Sells Catalog to Spirit Music In Reported $100 Million Deal

Back in October of 2021, Spirit Music Group owner Lyric Capital launched a $500 million catalog fund with Northleaf Capital Partners. Now, Spirit Music has acquired the song rights of country artist Jason Aldean in an estimated $100 million deal. The transaction encompasses 90 percent of the five-time Grammy nominee’s recorded catalog as well as “neighboring rights and SoundExchange royalties,” according to New York City-headquartered Spirit.

Source: Jason Aldean Sells Catalog to Spirit Music In Reported $100 Million Deal

Connecticut Introduces Library E-book Bill

The Connecticut bill is similar to efforts in other states now underway, in that it would require publishers who offer an e-book to consumers in the state to also offer to license the works to libraries on reasonable terms. One notable difference, however, is that the Connecticut bill offers a broad definition of what is meant by “reasonable” terms.

Source: Connecticut Introduces Library E-book Bill

Spotify Stock (SPOT) Drops Below Its 2018 IPO Price

Spotify’s once-heady stock has now tumbled below its opening price in 2018, with potentially further downward pressure ahead. In Wednesday (February 23rd) trading, Spotify stock (SPOT) dropped below its symbolic $147.92 valuation, established on the company’s first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The drop means that Spotify stock has lost an astounding $16.57 billion in market cap in 2022 alone.

Source: Spotify Stock (SPOT) Drops Below Its 2018 IPO Price

Spotify Announces First Bookcast Called ‘Run, Rose, Run,’ Featuring. Dolly Parton

The podcast blends audio story-telling with original music and sound elements to create an immersive listening experience. The ‘Run, Rose, Run’ bookcast will combine excerpts of the co-authored fiction novel between Dolly Parton and James Patterson with an original soundtrack written, produced, and recorded by Dolly Parton.

Source: Spotify Announces First Bookcast Called ‘Run, Rose, Run,’ ft. Dolly Parton

9 NFT companies working with Hollywood studios and creators to drive the future of the blockchain-based tech in entertainment

With NFTs poised to potentially go mainstream in 2022, Hollywood studios, creatives, and stars are increasingly exploring how the blockchain-based tech can help generate content and build audiences. Insider compiled a list of promising NFT companies partnering with entertainment studios, music labels, and creators to capitalize on the digital assets for IP generation, marketing, and more.

Source: 9 NFT companies working with Hollywood studios and creators to drive the future of the blockchain-based tech in entertainment

BlackRock, Warner Music Invest $750 Million in Female and Diverse Artists

The fund, in partnership with music investment and management firm Influence Media, is taking a novel approach to the frothy market in a bet on younger songs. Unlike many recent blockbuster deals for decades-old music that can provide stable returns for passive investors collecting royalty payments, the new fund is focused on so-called modern evergreen music.

Source: WSJ News Exclusive | BlackRock, Warner Music Invest $750 Million in Female and Diverse Artists

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