Memphis-based Connect Music has raised $80 million and disclosed plans to aggressively pursue catalog acquisitions and AI expansions. “This investment represents transformational growth capital for Connect Music and the artist partners we serve,” said the former Memphis Symphony Orchestra COO Monger.
Source: Connect Music Raises $80M, Eyes AI and Catalog Expansions
Netflix struggled to reassure skeptical lawmakers that its proposed $82 billion takeover of Warner Bros Discovery would benefit consumers, workers and the broader entertainment industry. During the hearing, senators quizzed Netflix co‑chief executive Ted Sarandos on the fate of theatres if the deal were to be approved, the effects of the merger on subscription prices and on the entertainment workforce.
Source: Netflix struggles to defend Warner Bros merger at US Senate hearing
At a Senate antitrust hearing on Tuesday, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos declined to give a “yes or no” answer when asked if he would commit to “full residuals” for union workers. “I would like to tell you this is a very complicated answer, because we prepay,” Sarandos said. Sarandos noted that the major studios are just days away from sitting down with the entertainment unions for bargaining, where this will be an issue.
Source: Ted Sarandos Hedges on Netflix Residual Payments at Senate Hearing: ‘Not a Yes or No’
During Nolan’s first interview about the role, he shed light on his approach to labor negotiations, AI and corporate consolidation, all while emphasizing that one of his top focus areas is boosting employment in the industry. Nolan said early on that he wants to explore the gap between consumer spending on entertainment and industry jobs with employers.
Source: Christopher Nolan Wants to Know Where All the Hollywood Jobs Are, Too
Sony Music Group is forming a music rights-buying joint venture with Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC Pte. According to Bloomberg, Sony and GIC plan to pursue “high-quality, marquee music assets across a range of genres”. “As a long-term investor, GIC seeks to be a creative and flexible capital partner to strategic industry leaders like Sony,” Girish Karira, head of the sovereign fund’s integrated strategies group, said in a statement.
Source: Sony launches $2B music rights acquisition JV with Singapore’s GIC
Today (January 28), the company announced it paid out more than $11 billion to the music industry in 2025, which it says is “the largest annual payment to music from any retailer in history.” Spotify previously paid out “a record” $10 billion to the music industry in 2024 and $9 billion the prior year. .
Source: Spotify says it paid out over $11bn to the music industry in 2025
A Senate committee will examine the proposed Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. at a hearing next week, with co-CEO Ted Sarandos scheduled to testify. The Netflix acquisition has drawn an unusual amount of commentary from lawmakers in the weeks since it was announced, while some have also weighed in on Paramount’s hostile bid for all of Warner Bros Discovery.
Source: Senate Hearing On Netflix-Warner Bros Transaction Set For February; Co-CEO Ted Sarandos To Testify
Netflix is not yet close to completing its $82.7B takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, but the deal already is facing serious opposition in the UK. A group of 18 influential cross-party lawmakers, including three former culture secretaries and an ex-BBC director general, have written to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) demanding an investigation.
Pipeline was launched by Matt Spetzler’s investment firm Jamen Capital. Just days after going public with the new platform, Spetzler’s Pipeline has already struck a partnership with independent power player Merlin. Pipeline’s deal with the indie licensing agency, which claims to represent 15% of the global recorded music market, will give Merlin members access to advances against digital royalties.
Source: Matt Spetzler’s $200m-backed Pipeline to fund indie advances via new Merlin pact
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said reducing “AI slop” and detecting deepfakes are priorities for the Google-owned video site in 2026. “It’s becoming harder to detect what’s real and what’s AI-generated,” Mohan wrote in his annual letter published Wednesday. “This is particularly critical when it comes to deepfakes.” Mohan said the world is at an “inflection point,” where “the lines between creativity and technology are blurring.”
Source: YouTube chief says ‘managing AI slop’ is a priority for 2026