Believe is expanding its presence in Japan, the world’s second-largest recorded music market. The France-headquartered music company has launched a new imprint called PLAYCODE, dedicated to Japan’s hip-hop scene. The company also says it will be partnering with Japan-based acts for the new label, including ¥ellow Bucks, Red Eye, and Issei Uno Fifth. The … Read more
In San Francisco’s Chinatown, amid Lunar New Year celebrations, a crowd surrounded the autonomous vehicle, broke its windows, and set off fireworks inside it, setting it ablaze. Firefighters called to the scene reported the vehicle had also been graffitied. One video—posted to X by NBC Bay Area’s Gia Vang—shows a crowd cheering as someone starts … Read more
MBW Reacts is a series of analytical commentaries from Music Business Worldwide written in response to major recent entertainment events or news stories. Only MBW+ subscribers have unlimited access to these articles. MBW Reacts is supported by JKBX, a technology platform that offers consumers access to music royalties as an asset class. When it … Read more
Ukrainian military intelligence said Russian forces increasingly use Starlink terminals on the frontline, a new twist in Kyiv’s uneasy relationship with Elon Musk’s internet service. Intercepted conversations between Russian troops in the occupied Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine indicate they had Starlink devices installed for internet access, the Ukrainian defense ministry intelligence directorate said Sunday on its website. … Read more
A potential major roadblock to the sale of performance rights organization BMI was cleared, after a US court agreed to a dispute settlement between BMI, its new owners and financially troubled radio/podcast company Audacy. Philadelphia-headquartered Audacy, the US’s second-largest radio station owner by revenue, which is in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings, had threatened … Read more
If 2023’s big game was the Andy Reid bowl, you have to call this year’s the Taylor Swift bowl. While the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers are the star attractions of Super Bowl LVIII on paper, let’s be honest: Pop culture interest in the singer is unabated, to the point that bookies … Read more
“Right now the CEO of TikTok is probably sitting at home watching this show, eating an ice-cream, crying, seeing all of his exes in one room. And you know what, TikTok? Shame on you. Shame on you for ripping off all of these artists. How dare you do that? [Pause] That’s Spotify‘s job.” Daniel … Read more
It’s official: New Mountain Capital has completed its acquisition of US performing rights organization, Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). NMC, which has over USD $45 billion in assets under management, confirmed in November that it will “lead a shareholder group” to acquire a majority stake in BMI. The NMC transaction was subject to approval by BMI shareholders … Read more
If you drive for about an hour south of Taipei, you’ll stumble upon one of the most important plots of land for the global economy. Massive buildings dot the 1,400 hectare-Hsinchu Science Park, featuring logos of the world’s biggest and most advanced chipmakers: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, United Microelectronics Corporation, MediaTek. They’re just a handful … Read more
Warner Music Group has published its financial results for the final three months of calendar 2023. According to the company’s fiscal Q1 (calendar Q4) results for the three months ending December 31, 2023, WMG saw its quarterly global revenues reach USD $1.748 billion. A bit of housekeeping before we dig into the numbers: WMG noted that … Read more