Finance

Content licensing for publishers: Five key questions answered

As publications fight for increasingly thin slices of advertising budgets and the subscription model for news sites slowly stagnating, it’s more important than ever to maximize your publication’s content to bring in every bit of revenue possible. Many content creators and publications in Europe are overlooking the potential of content licensing to support their brands. The truth is, your existing content can – and should – generate income long after you publish it.

Source: Content licensing for publishers: Five key questions answered

UMG Posts Strong Revenue for First Quarter, But Streaming Growth Continues to Level Off

Universal Music Group posted robust revenue of €2.901 billion — around $3.309 billion, an increase of 11.8% year-over-year, or 9.5% in constant currency — in its earnings report for the quarter ended on March 31, 2025, although streaming growth continues to level off and impact the company’s bottom line. While Universal’s recorded music’s subscription revenue grew 11.5% year-over-year, or 9.3% in constant currency, streaming revenue grew just 2.9% year-over-year, or 0.3% in constant currency.

Source: Universal Music Group Posts Strong Revenue for First Quarter, Although Streaming Growth Continues to Level Off

Spotify on superfan plans: ‘We do need the partners to come to the table’

A couple of comments in its earnings call suggested the details are still being worked out with rightsholders. “Of course we need alignment and support from our industry partners to offer these kinds of new experiences to our users,” said co-president and chief business officer Alex Norstrom. “We do need the partners to come to the table and be part of this journey,” added CEO Daniel Ek.

Source: Spotify on superfan plans: ‘We do need the partners to come to the table’

Epidemic Sound acquires AI startup Song Sleuth to tackle music’s ‘black box’ problem

Sweden-headquartered Epidemic Sound has acquired Song Sleuth, an AI music recognition startup, betting on AI to solve one of the music industry’s most persistent challenges: tracking and monetizing songs used in user-generated content online. Epidemic Sound said the acquisition paves the way for the launch of a new service called Aentidote aimed at identifying unclaimed and undistributed royalties from remixes, covers, and live recordings.

Source: Epidemic Sound acquires AI startup Song Sleuth to tackle music’s ‘black box’ problem

Splice acquires Spitfire Audio for a reported $50m as it bets on AI music creation

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but according to the Financial Times, which cited a person familiar with the matter, the deal is worth about USD $50 million. The acquisition marks Splice’s entry into the plugin sector, which it notes is valued at $640 million, and aligns with its existing subscription and rent-to-own businesses.

Source: Splice acquires Spitfire Audio for a reported $50m as it bets on AI music creation

Harvard Was First. Hollywood Could Be Next

Hollywood leans on a network of trade groups and associations representing various segments of the business. These include unions, guilds and professional organizations that advocate and promote the interests of its members. Threats to revoke tax-exemptions for trade groups and nonprofits in the entertainment industry could be used as a bartering chip for the administration to get what it wants.

Source: Harvard Was First. Hollywood Could Be Next

European competition regulator to assess UMG’s $775m acquisition of Downtown Music

The European Commission confirms that it has accepted requests submitted by Austria and the Netherlands to assess the proposed acquisition of Downtown by UMG under the EU Merger Regulation (EMMR). According to the official announcement from the EC on Friday (April 25): “The proposed transaction does not reach the turnover thresholds set out in the EUMR and therefore was not notified to the Commission.

Source: Confirmed: European competition regulator to assess UMG’s $775m acquisition of Downtown Music

Apple and Meta Are First to Be Hit by E.U. Digital Competition Law

Apple was fined 500 million euros ($570 million) and Meta was fined €200 million ($230 million) for breaking the Digital Markets Act, which was adopted in 2022. The European law aims to keep big tech companies from abusing their position as digital gatekeepers that can unilaterally impose requirements on users and businesses.

Source: Apple and Meta Are First to Be Hit by E.U. Digital Competition Law

Jeff Bezos’ Washington Post Inks OpenAI Licensing Deal for ChatGPT Search

The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has gone into business with artificial-intelligence powerhouse OpenAI. Under the agreement, ChatGPT will display summaries, quotes and links to original reporting from the Washington Post in response to relevant search queries. ChatGPT will featur the Post’s content across politics, global affairs, business, technology and more, “always with clear attribution and direct links to full articles,” the newspaper said.

Source: Jeff Bezos’ Washington Post Inks OpenAI Licensing Deal for ChatGPT Search

Spotify Stream Minimum Debate Continues As Exec Claps Back

Disc Makers CEO Tony van Veen calculated the ballpark royalties impact of Spotify’s 1,000-stream minimum during 2024. Last year, the exec estimated, emerging talent missed out on about $47 million in would-be recording royalties. On cue, Spotify fired back – including by arguing in more words that the affected tracks receive a small amount of fan interest and (owing mainly to withdrawal minimums) wouldn’t see their recording royalties reach artists in any event.

Source: Spotify Stream Minimum Debate Continues As Exec Claps Back

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