Midweek Music Update: Wednesday 12 November 2025
Welcome to this fortnight's round-up of news, commentary and industry announcements that you may have missed from the past few weeks.
If you are looking for advice in relation to any of the issues mentioned, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Legal updates
Spotify subscriber sues Spotify claiming discovery mode is a modern day 'payola' (Billboard)
Drake files a notice of appeal challenging the dismissal for his defamation claim (Rolling Stone)
Koda joins the numerous music companies bringing action against AI company Suno (CMU)
UMG settles its lawsuit against Udio, and pens licencing deal (MBW)
In the news
CISAC report shows songwriter CMOs collected €12.59bn in 2024 (CMU)
Sony Music Publishing has acquired a stake in Elements Music and its catalogue (Music Week)
Spotify announces streamer subscriber numbers rose 12% to 281 million (Billboard)
MMF announces winners and shortlists for the 2025 Artist & Manager Awards (MMF)
Live Nation releases its Q3 figures showing a 11% increase in revenues to $8.5bn (MBW)
Sony Music 2025 Q3 figures show 21% revenue growth driven by streaming (Music Ally)
Dave becomes first British rap artist to debut three albums at number one (BBC)
Ad revenues grow 15% YoY for YouTube (Music Ally)
New platform launches helping artist to claim 'black box' royalties (Billboard)
Sir Lucian Grainge discusses Q3 revenues, new YouTube deal and more (MBW)
Grammys 2026 nominees announced (BBC)
K-pop continues to grow as Hybe announces over $500mrevenues in Q3 (Music Ally)
UMG announces strategic deal with Stability AI (MBW)
Major labels, Merlin and Believe partner with Spotify to develop artist-first AI (Spotify)
Features and commentary
AI and its impact on the music business (Billboard)
Spotify chiefs discuss price hikes, audiobooks and more (MBW)
Industry changes/developments
IMPALA elects its new board and sets its priorities over the 2 years (IMPALA)
Bella Figura Music hires Gary Gersh and enters into an admin deal with Sony Music Publishing (Billboard)
UK Music chair Lord Watson stands down after 6 years (UK Music)
AIM announces its new board members (Music Week)
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