BMG Holds Firm — Revenue Slips, Margins Rise
BMG’s revenue dipped in the first half of 2025, but they proved they know how to run lean. Streaming climbed in the high single digits, offsetting declines in physical and sync. The real story? EBITDA margins held steady — a sign they’re squeezing profit while others chase scale. In a business addicted to “growth,” BMG’s quietly stacking wins where it matters: the bottom line.
Apple Music Radio Cuts the Cord with TuneIn Deal
Apple’s finally breaking out of its walled garden. The new TuneIn partnership puts Apple Music Radio on non-iOS devices — smart speakers, in-car systems, desktops — anywhere TuneIn lives. It’s a smart expansion play and a clear sign: Apple’s not just building for Apple fans anymore. They’re building for reach.
UMG Doubles Down on India via Maddock Films Collab
Universal Music isn’t treating India like an afterthought. Its new joint label with Bollywood studio Maddock Films, Mad For Mussic, is built to localize content and dominate South Asia. This isn’t about pushing Western hits — it’s about embedding in culture and owning regional lanes. Smart money move. Global relevance demands local muscle.
AI vs. Music Industry: The Gloves Are Off
Forbes laid it out — the music industry’s war with AI is no longer theoretical. Generative tools like Suno and Udio are blurring creative lines, while labels, artists, and publishers are lawyering up. Licensing frameworks are coming, but the stakes are bigger: Who gets paid for creation in the age of simulation?
Jamendo’s AI Music Search Is Built for Licensing
Jamendo’s new AI-powered tool is flipping the script on music discovery — and licensing. Built for creators, marketers, and brands, it finds the perfect pre-cleared tracks instantly. Think of it as Spotify meets Shutterstock — minus the legal headaches. Created to pay artists, not lawyers.
Sting Sued by Former Bandmates Over Royalties
Sting just got hit with a lawsuit from former members of The Police over missing royalties. Decades-old contracts are rearing their heads as legacy acts recheck the math — and increasingly head to court. With catalogs now gold mines, expect more “classic” acts to do forensic accounting.
YouTube Expands ‘Hype’ Promo Tool to 39 New Countries
YouTube is scaling its in-house creator promo engine. Hype — the platform’s marketing boost feature — is now live in 39 new markets. For indie artists and creators without PR teams, it’s a lifeline. But it also tightens YouTube’s grip on who gets seen… and who disappears in the feed.
Beatoven.ai Drops AI Music Generator That Pays Artists
Beatoven.ai just flipped the AI music model. Instead of scraping sounds and dodging lawsuits, they’re generating tracks using only licensed content — and compensating original creators. If it catches on, it could rewrite how AI and creators co-exist. For now, it’s the ethical outlier in a sea of sketchy clones.
UMG Eyes Lawsuits After Anthropic AI Settlement
Universal Music sees an opening. After authors settled with AI firm Anthropic over training data theft, UMG is reportedly preparing to sue platforms that scraped copyrighted lyrics and recordings. This could trigger the first real crackdown on AI data hoarding — and give rights holders back some leverage.
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