DistroKid Debuts Merch Sales Platform for Artists; UMG Settles Udio Lawsuit, Sets Deal for Licensed AI Music Platform
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DistroKid launches new platform for artists to sell merch directly to fans
The new feature allows musicians to set up online stores selling merch like t-shirts, tote bags and mugs printed with album artwork.
Universal Music settles Udio lawsuit, strikes deal for licensed AI music platform
In a landmark move late Wednesday evening, Universal Music Group announced that it has settled its copyright infringement litigation against AI music platform Udio. According to the announcement, the companies “will collaborate on an innovative, new commercial music creation, consumption, and streaming experience”. The new platform is set to launch in 2026.
Why Is It So Easy to Flood Streaming With AI Slop?
The first thing to understand about why the phenomenon is so widespread—why the scam is so easy—is that artists and labels don’t generally upload their work directly to streaming platforms.
Why Reservoir bet tens of millions of dollars on Jazz legend and ‘definition of cool’ Miles Davis
The New York-headquartered firm’s latest move sees it acquiring 90% of Miles Davis’ music publishing catalog ahead of what would have been the jazz legend’s 100th birthday in 2026. The deal, valued at between $40-$60 million, encompasses Davis’ music publishing rights as well as the estate’s income from his recordings.
Radio is still 62% of ad-supported listening time in the US
Research firm Nielsen has published its latest data on US audio listening habits, based on its survey for the third quarter of 2025.
Report Finds Majority of Time with Streaming Music Is Now Spent with Paid Platforms
Audio habits and preferences have obviously changed in the last decade, and new data from Edison Research’s Share of Ear study reveals just how much. There’s been a significant shift away from free streaming audio services—with paid plans now dominating the landscape.
Foo Fighters To Stream A Live Performance This Week For Amazon Music
Chart-topping hard rockers Foo Fighters will be streaming a live music performance this Thursday, October 30th, at 09:00pm PST / 12:00am EST via Amazon Prime. That livestreamed set is set to air as part of the Amazon Music Live series, airing after the conclusion of Thursday’s scheduled football games.
Nintendo talks Nintendo Music growth, why they skipped traditional music streaming services, and fans wanting the Mario Kart World OST
Nintendo Music is just about one year old! The app/service launched back on Oct. 31st, 2024 and has been adding new soundtracks ever since. Thanks to a new interview we now have fresh insight into the app, why Nintendo created it, and one big request from Nintendo fans.
Big Changes Announced for YouTube’s Product Teams—Including YouTube Music
A new memo from CEO Neal Mohan reveals that YouTube believes AI is ‘the next frontier.’ YouTube’s major product team will be reorganized into three groups—Subscriptions Products (Christian Oestlein), Viewer Products (Johanna Voolich), and Creator & Community Products (no lead yet).
Audiomack’s ‘Tastemakers’ curators are getting their own analytics
Music-streaming service Audiomack has launched a new mobile app, but it’s not for listeners: it’s for playlist curators.
Spotify holds a patent for tech that can generate song mashups
The filing, unearthed by MBW, describes a system that can analyze songs to determine which tracks are musically compatible, then automatically combine them into new mashup versions for individual users.
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley Concert Film In Theaters Next Year
New footage of The King was discovered while researching 2022 biopic ‘Elvis’.
50 Cent Uses AI to Reimagine His Unreleased Tracks as Old-School R&B Songs
Fif shared a pair of videos on Instagram showing what two of his tracks would sound like if they were a little more soulful.
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