Digital Music News – studio recording, publishing, streaming, live concerts, talent development

The latest music news from Digital Music News, affecting recording industry, music publishing, mp3 streaming, concert industry, talent development, venture capital, and music technology, with reporting on artists new releases and where to get new mp3 songs.

1. Live Nation, Ticketmaster Stare Down Possible Class Certification — And ‘Millions’ of Potential Members — In Multiyear Antitrust Suit

   Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary are staring down the possibility of class certification in a years-old lawsuit submitted by allegedly shortchanged ticketing customers. Judge George Wu just recently finalized a tentative ruling on the plaintiffs’ class certification push – albeit under seal, with the appropriate document emailed to the involved parties. As such, we […]

2. Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Studio and Streaming Business, Including HBO and HBO Max, In $83 Billion Mega-Deal—Industry Groups Vehemently Oppose

   Netflix announces a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in an $83 billion monster agreement. But some industry groups are opposed to the massive merger. On Friday, Netflix announced a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO, with a whopping $82.7 billion valuation. If approved […]

3. Billboard Owner Penske Media Steps Up Google Antitrust Attack in Amended Suit, Alleges a Choice Between Permitting ‘Underpayment or Suffering Existential Search Traffic Declines’

   Billboard and Rolling Stone owner Penske Media has taken its Google antitrust lawsuit to the next level with an amended complaint. Meanwhile, the court has rejected the tech giant’s dismissal motion. Penske submitted the 108-page amended action yesterday, after filing the original suit in September. As we reported then, the company is accusing Google of […]

4. Adidas Defeats Angry Shareholder Appeal Over Kanye Deal Implosion — Athletic Giant Accused of Concealing Antisemitic Outbursts, Meltdowns

   Adidas prevailed against an appeal by shareholders who alleged the company committed fraud in concealing antisemitic behavior by Kanye West before its partnership with the rapper dissolved. German footwear and apparel brand Adidas defeated an appeal by U.S. shareholders on Wednesday, December 3. The shareholders’ suit alleged that the company fraudulently concealed antisemitic and other […]

5. 50 Cent Expands Litigation Against ‘Skillhouse’ Director Over ‘Brazen and Unauthorized’ Use of NIL Rights

   50 Cent doubles down on his lawsuit against Skillhouse producer Ryan Kavanaugh, alleging the unauthorized use of his image damaged his reputation. Curis “50 Cent” Jackson is enjoying the warm reception of the Netflix Sean “Diddy” Combs docuseries he produced, but not all is well for the rapper and business mogul. He’s still busy with […]

6. Usher, Big Sean Invest More Than $1 Million In Detroit ‘Entertainment Incubator’

   R&B singer Usher and ‘Big Sean’ Anderson have teamed up to create a million dollar production studio and entertainment incubator in Detroit. Their $1 million investment will help create a new Michigan Central hub for the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan. It will be the new home for a Detroit Entertainment Innovation Incubator, […]

7. Meta Expected to Cut Up to 30% of Metaverse Budget

   Meta is expected to cut up to 30% of its metaverse budget after pouring billions into the initiative over the last five years. Meta is expected to make budget cuts to its metaverse initiative of up to 30%, people close to the matter told Bloomberg. Shares of the Facebook parent company rose 4% as investors […]

8. Three Years Later, Epidemic Sound Expands Its Meta Copyright Battle With a New Lawsuit Alleging ‘Willful, Intentional and Purposeful’ Infringement

   Over three years into their ugly infringement showdown, Epidemic Sound and Meta are still battling it out. Now, building on the initial suit, the royalty-free music platform has fired off a second copyright complaint. The straightforward action made its way to a California federal court earlier this week, more than 40 months after Epidemic formally […]

9. Spotify Stock (NYSE: SPOT) Is Down 23% Since Daniel Ek Announced His Departure As CEO — Analysts’ Target Prices Vary Significantly Heading Into 2026

   Spotify stock (NYSE: SPOT) is down nearly 23% since Daniel Ek confirmed plans to hand over the CEO reins – a falloff that’s prompting discussions about SPOT’s outlook heading into the new year. In the leadup to Ek’s September 30th transition announcement – the 42-year-old will swap his CEO title for executive chairman in 2026 […]

10. Now That Trump Has Pardoned Oak View Group Ex-CEO Tim Leiweke, Does He Get His Job Back?

    Trump pardoned former Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, who was indicted by the president’s own DOJ for allegedly rigging bids. So, what’s next for the live event venue mogul? After Oak View Group co-founder Tim Leiweke was indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly rigging bids on a University of Texas arena project, Donald Trump […]

11. China Halts Japanese Concerts and Cultural Events Over Taiwan; K-Pop Industry Remains On Edge

    China abruptly cancels several Japanese music events in the country, some of them mid-performance, placing K-pop in a difficult position. K-pop is caught between a rock and a hard place as geopolitical tensions mount between China and Japan. Korean entertainment companies remain hopeful that their artists will stay insulated from the fallout, but the situation […]

12. ‘AI Tried to Copy My Soul’ — Blanco Brown Calls Out Breaking Rust’s ‘Walk My Walk’ Over Alleged Infringement, Drops Cover Version

    Did Breaking Rust “steal and borrow” from a human creator to pump out “Walk My Walk”? Artist Blanco Brown believes so, and he’s fired back by releasing a cover of the (relative) AI hit. Atlanta-born Brown took aim at the alleged infringement in an Instagram post late last month, purportedly after receiving multiple messages about […]

13. Eurovision Confirms Israel’s Participation for 2026—Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, Netherlands Threaten Boycotts

    Eurovision confirms that Israel will take part in the song contest after a vote was called off over its participation. Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will include Israel, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed after the general assembly called off a vote over the country’s participation. The 70th edition of the storied song contest […]

14. Post Malone Ropes Major Super Bowl Performance Slot After Thanksgiving Day Appearance

    Post Malone teams up with Bud Light for a free Bay Area concert two days before the Super Bowl kicks off in February. Post Malone is teaming up with his longtime friend Bud Light for a free concert in the Bay Area ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl. Bud Light Presents Post Malone & Buddies […]

15. D4vd Is Google’s ‘Most Searched Person’ of 2025—Beating Out Kendrick Lamar, Jimmy Kimmel, & Pope Leo XIV

    Singer D4vd has claimed Google Trends’ most-searched person of 2025, beating out figures like Kendrick Lamar, Jimmy Kimmel and Pope Leo XIV. In September, the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the back of a Tesla registered to the singer. D4vd is well-known in the Fortnite gaming scene, where he got his […]