Universal Music Group
Taylor Swift Producer Jack Antonoff Weighs In on Universal TikTok Music Removal: “It’s Ass Backwards”
Following this week’s news that Universal Music Group is pulling its song catalog from TikTok after failing to reach a new licensing deal with the social media platform, Jack Antonoff gave an unvarnished reaction to the sudden removal after winning producer of the year (non-classical) at Sunday’s 2024 Grammys. Antonoff frequently collaborates with UMG artist Taylor […]
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Universal Music Chief’s New Year’s Memo: “Prescription Music,” AI Tools and More Priorities
Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge’s annual New Year’s memo to staff spoke about recent innovations at the music label giant to fend off mounting competitive challenges. “In the face of so much change and opportunity, standing still is never an option,” Grainge, CEO and chairman of UMG, stated in the internal memo […]
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Netflix, Spotify, Lionsgate Stocks Jump in 2023, While Disney Ekes Out a Gain
In 2022, the stocks of streaming giant Netflix and most Hollywood giants fell to Earth. In 2023, major media and tech players had another grim year with investors as faith in streaming took another hit, even if their share prices ended the year on a roll, helped by renewed M&A talk. Netflix soared back to […]
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Universal Music CEO Slams “Merchants of Garbage” While Defending Artist Centric Streaming Payments
As artificial intelligence tools go mainstream, Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge says recent business deals with major music streaming platforms will help ensure AI programs benefit his major label artists financially and creatively. “What today’s results don’t yet demonstrate, but future ones will, is how our leadership on issues such as AI streaming economics […]
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Universal Music Files $75M Lawsuit Against Amazon-Backed AI Firm for Ripping Off Rolling Stones, Beyonce Lyrics
A trio of major music publishers are stepping into the legal battle against generative artificial intelligence to stop the use of their copyrighted material to train AI systems, this time in a lawsuit against Anthropic. Universal Music Group, Concord Music Group and ABKCO sued the company in Tennessee federal court Wednesday, accusing it of “systematic […]
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Universal Music Group CEO Welcomes Spotify Raising Subscription Prices
Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge has welcomed Spotify raising prices for its premium paying subscriber base to boost streaming audio revenues for his label’s artist rosters. “We obviously welcome Spotify’s announcement, as well as YouTube’s announcement,” Grainge told analysts, while also citing YouTube Music also raising its prices, after the major music […]
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Latin Superstar Karol G Signs With Interscope Records
Latin superstar Karol G has signed with Interscope Records. Tuesday’s announcement comes months after the singer’s Mañana Será Bonito became the first Spanish-language album by a female artist to top the Billboard 200 albums chart. “Mañana Será Bonito marked a new era for me that came with many unforgettable milestones. I’m continuously amazed at the […]
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Universal Music Group Embraces AI “Soundscapes” With New Deal
Universal Music Group — the music label behind Sting, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande — has decided to embrace artificial intelligence, rather than only fight the new technology. UMG has signed a deal with sound wellness company Endel to enable its roster of artists to use proprietary AI technology to create mood music soundscapes […]
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Universal Music Group Chief Says Talks Are Underway With Streaming Giants Over Artist Pay
Universal Music Group has posted higher-fourth quarter revenues and adjusted earnings as the major label was lifted by the latest releases from Taylor Swift, Seventeen and Lil Baby. The music major, led by chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge, saw overall revenues rise 16.7 percent to 2.94 billion euros ($3.14 billion) as streaming and subscription revenues […]
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Paul McCartney’s Life After Beatles Breakup to Be Focus of New Documentary From Oscar Winner Morgan Neville
Paul McCartney is getting the documentary treatment from Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville. Neville helped announce the news Saturday afternoon inside Milk Studios, host of Universal Music Group’s star-studded artist showcase, an annual Grammy weekend event presented by chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge that typically features a packed program of musical performances mixed with some breaking […]
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Universal Music CEO Takes Aim at Spotify, Apple: Artists Are “Undervalued” in Streaming
Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge said the business models for music streaming need to “evolve” to better reward artists — whether or not they are signed to a major label — and listeners. In a message to staff sent Wednesday, the executive took aim at the royalty model of streaming services like Apple Music […]
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Major Music Labels Awarded $47M Over Piracy Suit
A Texas jury has awarded Universal Music Group and several other recording companies more than $46.7 million in their lawsuit against Astound Broadband for failing to stop its users from pirating music. The company formerly known as Grande Communications must pay roughly $33,000 in damages for each of 1,403 works that were infringed upon, the […]
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