UMG’s spinoff makes it obvious that the industry has entered a new phase, which looks like a boom for the kinds of acts that do well on streaming and the labels and distributors that work with them. It could further drive up the value of recording and publishing catalogs, which have already risen to unprecedented multiples, plus inspire other companies to go public.
Source: How Universal Music Going Public Ushers in a New Era for Music
The Blackstone Group is in serious discussions to inject more than $1 billion into a dedicated music copyright investment fund — with Hipgnosis Songs Fund founder Merck Mercuriadis potentially running the show. Here’s what we know so far. Neither Blackstone nor Mercuriadis are officially commenting at this stage, though the deal is understood to involve a fund separate from Hipgnosis Songs Fund.
Source: Blackstone Is About to Drop $1 Billion on Music Copyrights
BMG has acquired what it calls “an extensive portfolio of rights” related to the music and image of Tina Turner. The deal sees BMG acquire the artist’s share of her recordings, plus her music publishing writer’s share and neighboring rights, plus her name, image, and likeness. Warner Music remains the record company for Turner’s catalog.
Source: BMG buys bundle of Tina Turner rights in music’s latest big-money deal
Through the offering of Security NFTs (S-NFTs), a term coined by Republic to describe a non-fungible digital asset, offered and sold as a “security” (as defined by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Exchange Act of 1934), users will be able to invest directly in artists’ music “for as little as $100”.
Source: Opulous teams up with Lil Pump and EDM star KSHMR to let fans invest in their music
UK-born ticketing, livestream and music discovery platform DICE has acquired U-based electronic music live streaming platform, Boiler Room. The acquisition of Boiler Room comes just a week after DICE announced that it has raised $122 million in Series C funding.
Source: After raising $122m, DICE buys livestreaming platform Boiler Room
Hollywood production workers pushing for better pay and working conditions voted nearly unanimously to authorize a strike, a scenario that could hobble the entertainment industry as companies race to keep up with a surge in on-demand films and TV shows. The union represents more than 60,000 set builders, costume designers, video engineers and other behind-the-scenes workers.
Source: Hollywood production workers authorize strike, setting up industry showdown over streaming profits
Round Hill’s publicly-traded UK fund has published its first set of interim financial results, for the period ended June 30, 2021. As of that date, Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Limited (RHM) had invested approximately USD $342 million. That money went on the acquisition of 38 catalogs, plus the purchase of a 29.1% stake in RH Carlin Holdings LLC.
Source: Round Hill’s UK Fund has spent $342m on acquisitions – and is buying catalogs at a multiple of 16.2x
The Music Fund enables artists who earn $5,000 or more from streaming annually to sell a percentage (which artists select) of their master-royalty income for a two-year period. TMF then fronts a lump-sum payment – not a loan or an advance, with no obligation on the recipient’s end – and the song rights revert to the creator at the end of the agreed-upon window.
Source: HIFI Acquires The Music Fund, Outlines Plans to Integrate AI Technology
Blockchain-based music distributor Blarecast Systems has announced the completion of a funding round led by Ayre Ventures. Like the majority of recent announcement messages concerning startups’ raises (and sales), the text doesn’t disclose the transaction’s financial specifics. However, a Blarecast Systems exec said that the round involved “’multi-million £ funding.”
Source: Blockchain-Based Blarecast Systems Completes ‘Multi-Million’ Dollar Raise
Voly – which has already seen success in the super-yachting sector with its FX services and accounting solutions – says that it has been working with a number of music industry companies and executives in recent months to develop its platform.
Source: UK-based Voly launches new financial management software and payment platform for the music industry