Universal Music Group

New UMG / Meta apact allows use of music across 6 social platforms

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Brad Hill

In a noisy announcement that can be celebrated by musicians, many social media users, a major label, and a major internet company, Universal Music Group and Meta have reached a new licensing agreement. The thrust is that social media users across Meta’s immense social platform reach will be able to use UMG-published music without repercussion to them, or to Meta. The agreement builds on an earlier (2017) accord.
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“Strong growth across all segments” — UMG releases earnings and predicts layoffs

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Brad Hill

Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company, released financial information for Q4, and full-year 2023. UMG is a Dutch-American firm operating under Dutch law and traded on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (AMS). We look at top-line Q4 and 2023 numbers. Continue Reading →

UMG lashes out at Tik Tok; threatens to pull catalog; levels accusations of bullying

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Brad Hill

In a flaming accusatory open letter, label giant Universal Music Group verbally eviscerates TikTok for failing to meet UMG’s royalty terms. The statement is posted on the final day of an existing royalty contract between the two giants. Continue Reading →

Digital distribution companies criticize the UMG/Deezer royalty breakthrough

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Brad Hill

The new royalty attribution method recently deployed by Universal Music Group and streaming music platform Deezer seeks to make royalty calculation more fair. But the change is not universally applauded. Two digital distribution companies Believe and TuneCore, whose customers are mainly indie musicians, calls the system “reverse Robin Hood.” Continue Reading →

Streaming drove revenue jumps for recorded music and publishing for UMG in Q1

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Vivendi reported first-quarter financials for Universal Music Group. The label generated €1.769 billion in revenue, up 12.7% on-year in constant currency. Actual growth for the period was 17.8%. Continue Reading →

NOW That’s What I Call Music! gets free mobile streaming option in UK

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Anna Washenko

A streaming music app co-owned by Sony Music and Universal Music is adding a free tier. The labels operate NOW That’s What I Call Music! brand, which includes the NOW Music app for both iOS and Android mobile devices in the UK. The app now offers a free, ad-supported counterpart to its usual mid-tier subscription of £4.99 per month. Continue Reading →

Universal Music Group on-year streaming revenue grew more than 20% and an IPO is in the forecast

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Anna Washenko

Universal Music Group posted strong financial results for its 2019 fiscal year. Parent company Vivendi also used the earnings announcement to share some developments for the label. Not only is UMG getting a group of new partial owners, but it is also the latest music business to be targeting an IPO. Continue Reading →

Tencent deal for UMG stake hits another hurdle around minority investor approach

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Vivendi has reportedly been in discussions with Tencent for several months to develop a deal for the Chinese conglomerate to acquire a stake of Universal Music Group. But even as the discussions drag on, there’s still plenty of uncertainty around whether an agreement will come together. Continue Reading →

Indie organization IMPALA voices opposition to Tencent-UMG deal

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Tencent and Vivendi have been making gradual progress toward a deal to see the China-based company acquire a stake of Universal Music Group. Even before the sale is a done deal, it already has an opponent. Continue Reading →

Rumor Fact(ory): Tencent may work with minority investors to buy Universal Music Stake

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Tencent Holdings has been floated as a potential, even likely buyer for a stake in Universal Music Group. But the latest rumors indicate that while the Chinese company is still interested, it may want to make the investment with partners. Continue Reading →

Vivendi enters negotiations with Tencent to sell a stake in Universal Music Group

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Vivendi has been looking for a buyer to take over up to 50% of Universal Music Group for several months, and the process has yielded interested parties. Now, the French conglomerate has officially entered talks with China’s Tencent Holdings for a deal around the major label. Continue Reading →

Universal Music Group H1 revenue: 60% streaming

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Anna Washenko

Vivendi has released its financial results for the first half of 2019, including the latest financials for Universal Music Group. The major label saw recorded music revenue reach nearly €2.6 billion, up 22.4% from the first half of 2018. Continue Reading →