• Universal Music Posts 2015 Revenue Increase Thanks To Streaming

    The machine always seems to try and stifle it, but streaming is now becoming the main gravy train for major labels. Universal Music and its parent company Vivendi have announced their 2015 revenue and UMG posted a 2.7 percent increase at constant currency, a measure that eliminates currency fluctuations or 12.1 percent in actual terms. A large part of this growth came from streaming.

  • SoundCloud, Universal Music Group Sign Licensing Deal

    SoundCloud has had trouble with its transition from a small, music discovery platform to a billion dollar company that has played a vital role in artist development, but also found itself in the crosshairs of industry executives who want all aspects of the platforms to play exactly by the rules. It has sought licensing deals with the three major labels, Warner, Sony and Universal, but has struggled to get obtain. Warner was the first domino to fall and now in a big move for SoundCloud, it has just announced a licensing deal with the biggest label on the planet, Universal Music Group.

  • Soundcloud, Universal Music Group Reportedly Agree To Licensing Deal

    Just as reports of SoundCloud's impending demise started to grow louder, it appears they maligned streaming and discovery service may have taken a major step towards creating a sustainable business model. According to a new report in Music Business Worldwide, SoundCloud is close to agreeing on a new licensing deal with Universal Music Group that could potentially net UMG significant equity in SoundCloud.

  • Soundcloud Could Be in Financial Trouble as Major Label Deals Loom

    SoundCloud could be facing some dire financial consequences, including being "dangerously low on cash," according to reports from Digital Music News. although the company is valued at more than $700 million, two sources indicated to the publication that the digital music platform could be broke in four or five months if it doesn't secure additional funding.

  • Grooveshark Returns Under New Domain Name, 90 Percent of Files

    Grooveshark may be gone officially, but a clone site bearing the same name has begun swimming the internet seas and offering downloads of music and films to users. The official rendition of the file-sharing site formally shut down last week after a lengthy legal battle with Universal Music.

  • Grooveshark Shuts Down After Lengthy Universal Music Lawsuit

    Grooveshark, buried under a lengthy and expensive lawsuit from the Universal Music Group, has announced that it will shut down immediately. A statement from the service on Thursday acknowledged mistakes and that it will wipe its servers clean.

  • Grooveshark Could be Fined $730 Million for Universal Music Group Lawsuit Damages

    It's been five years since the Universal Music Group first brought its legal team against Grooveshark, a music streaming site. Now it looks like the defendant will pay a dramatic amount, approaching a billion dollars in fines. Universal had looked to make an example out of the relatively small site, claiming that it would unleash "legal jihad" on the company, and it looks as if they aim to follow through.

  • Universal Music Group Lawsuit: Chuck D, Rick James and More Win $11.5 Million Settlement

    Universal Music has come to a settlement with a substantial number of its former artists—including Chuck D, Dave Mason of Traffic and Rick James (by way of a trust, as the guitarist is deceased)—regarding the distribution of royalties from digital downloads. The sum comes out to $11.5 million to be split among numerous parties, as well as an increase in the royalty percentage received by formers going forward. The plaintiffs alleged that Universal's labeling of digital music earnings as "sales" rather than "licenses" took money off the table for artists.

  • Major Labels Like Universal Reportedly Looking to End Spotify's Unlimited Free Streaming

    If you are one of the millions who relies on Spotify to stream music for free, your unlimited access may soon be restricted if the major labels have their way. This according to a new report that says Universal Music Group is trying to leverage its current contract negotiations, which Spotify said it would make the company $1 billion in revenue, to restrict the free service.

  • Universal Inks Deal To Allow Targeted, Retroactive Product Placement In Music Videos

    Product placement in music videos has become ubiquitous in the industry and now it's set to change after Universal Music Group signed a deal that allows advertisers to digitally insert their products into previously released videos then later swap them for new products once a campaign is complete, The Financial Times reports.Universal, who represents artists such as Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and The Rolling Stones, signed the deal with MirriAd, who provides the technology.
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