The white-hot publishing market just got hotter, as Vine Alternative Investments announced Thursday that it has acquired the song catalog of multi-platinum producer, songwriter, artist and DJ Calvin Harris. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although one source said the price was “around” $100 million.
Source: Calvin Harris Sells Publishing Catalog to Vine Investments for ‘Around’ $100 Million
Given the historical ubiquity of piracy in China, formal licensing deals weren’t an easy win, and getting royalty reports isn’t a given (the exclusive arrangements signed between the major labels and Tencent, which are said to be expiring in 2020/2021, pay out ‘minimum guarantee’ advances instead of royalties). Still, it’s a marked improvement for labels from the past situation in China – no income and no licenses.
Originally on the Sony Pictures theatrical calendar for Father’s Day weekend, the film instead will become the biggest feature film commitment made by Apple to premiere on Apple TV+. It is the latest in a growing indication that Apple is making its move, and becoming as aggressive as any streamer or studio in auctions for the acquisition of films and TV projects.
Source: Tom Hanks WWII Film ‘Greyhound’ Alters Course In Apple Deal: Film Will Premiere On Apple TV +
Twitch avoids the problematic “begging bowl” undertone that can plague artists on other direct subscription services like Patreon by offering fans something in return — an exclusive, interactive live video experience — that Olson believes has an immediate premium value in the mind of the audience.
According to the company, its PPV platform “will drive a new revenue-sharing model for both artists and LiveXLive via digital ticket sales, fan tipping, digital meet and greets, merchandise sales and sponsorship.” LiveXLive’s first pay-per-view event will be the 11E1even Group-produced virtual concert series Live From Out There, featuring more than 45 live performances starting on Friday, May 15 and continuing for four weeks until June 7.
The streaming platform has long enabled artists to highlight a piece of music on their profile via the ‘Artist’s Pick’ headline. Now, Spotify has launched a sister version of this feature, ‘Artist Fundraising Pick’, which allows acts to pin a specific destination on their profile where fan can pay them ‘tips’.
Source: Spotify now enables fans to pay artists money direct, via Cash App and PayPal.me partnerships
It took much longer than expected but seven months after the conclusion of a copyright trial that stunned the music world, a California federal judge on Tuesday delivered a win to Katy Perry, Capitol Records, Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald and others who worked on the 2013 hit “Dark Horse.”
Source: Katy Perry & Capitol Records Off the Hook for $2.8M ‘Dark Horse’ Copyright Verdict
As the coronavirus continues to spread worldwide, the entertainment industry has heeded health notices and travel restrictions by canceling events and postponing productions planned for the near future. Countless jobs will be affected by the virus, and financial reverberations for individuals, companies and economies will last months, at the least.
Source: Coronavirus is shutting down movies, tours and festivals. Here’s where things stand.
Citing concerns about the potential spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Reed Exhibitions has canceled this year’s London Book Fair. Yesterday Reed Exhibitions had said the show would proceed. The turning point seems to have come when major U.K. divisions of the large international publishers decided not to send their local staffs to the fair.
Source: London Book Fair Canceled
The U.S. recorded music business generated $11.1 billion in revenue in 2019, according to the RIAA’s annual year-end report, a 13% year-over-year increase from the $9.8 billion it reached in 2018. That represents the fourth straight year of double-digit growth for the sector, and a faster rate of growth over 2018, when it increased 11.9% over the prior year.
Source: US Recorded Music Revenue Reaches $11.1 Billion in 2019, 79% From Streaming: RIAA