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. YouTube Music Continues to Struggle Against Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music — With Spotify Attracting Five Times as Many Paying Subscribers In the US

   YouTube was one of the first major players in music streaming, thanks to a video platform that quickly absorbed millions of music videos, live tracks, lyric videos, and sing-along covers. But given its immense first-mover advantage, why is YouTube Music struggling so badly behind Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music when it comes to paying […]

2. Universal Music Triumphs In Dutch Streaming Royalty Lawsuit

   Universal does not have to pay Dutch musicians Arriën Molema, Henk Westbroek, and Marinus de Goederen substantially more on streaming plays, an Amsterdam court ruled. Universal Music was victorious in a court case in Amsterdam that centered on whether the company underpaid three Dutch musicians in streaming royalties. According to an Amsterdam court on Wednesday, […]

3. Now for Something Less Controversial: Pharrell Williams Picked by Major League Baseball to Open World Series

   Let’s enjoy the Series in harmony, shall we? The MLB just picked Pharrell Williams as the headliner of a live performance to kick off Game One of the World Series on Friday, October 24th. On Thursday, MLB made a surprise announcement that musician and multi-hyphenate Pharrell Williams will headline an exclusive live performance to kick […]

4. Cox v. Sony Music Filing Flurry Continues Ahead of Supreme Court Decision — SoundExchange, A2IM, Former Lawmakers, Copyright Officials, and Others Weigh In

   Amicus briefs are continuing to pour in ahead of the high-stakes Cox v. Sony Music Supreme Court arguments. Now, SoundExchange, A2IM, former members of Congress, and others have fired off filings of their own. Technically, those briefs are all dated October 22nd – though they weren’t live in the docket at the time of our […]

5. Apple Loses $2 Billion App Store Lawsuit in the UK—Tech Giant Vows Immediate Appeal

   Apple has lost a landmark lawsuit in the UK over App Store fees, which could benefit millions of iPhone and iPad users. The company vows to appeal. Apple users in the UK might get compensation after the tech giant lost a landmark case over $2 billion (£1.5 billion) in app store fees. The ruling could […]

6. KCRW Shows Multiple DJs the Exit—Promptly Replaces Them with New Ones

   KCRW fired 10% of staff just last week to cut costs after federal budget cuts, but already the station is introducing shows from three new hosts. Less than a week after KCRW announced cutting 10% of staff—including longtime DJs Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole, and José Galván—the station has unveiled three shows hosted by three new […]

7. Recording Academy’s ‘Grammy House Giza’ Event and Additional Concerts In Motion Despite Lawsuit Challenging Pyramids Performances

   Despite the recent lawsuit looking to halt concerts staged before the Great Pyramids, the Recording Academy is moving forward with plans for a massive Grammy House Giza happening. Billed as an “immersive pop-up experience” and previously held in New York as well as Los Angeles, Grammy House is going global as part of the Recording […]

8. Monster Mega-Tours Set Sail: Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, 5 Seconds of Summer, More Rush Dates

   2026 is shaping up to be a year of monster mega-tours with Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, Rush, and 5 Seconds of Summer setting sail. If you thought next year might not be a good one for tours, think again. Numerous major acts have announced outings starting next spring and summer, including Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, […]

9. Spotify Lossless Is Rolling Out to Sonos Users, But the Android App Keeps Crashing

   Spotify Lossless is gradually rolling out to Sonos users, but Android users are reporting app crashes on some WiFi networks. Spotify Lossless is rolling out slowly to Sonos users today, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While many users are pleased with what they’re hearing, users on Android report that the Spotify app […]

10. Sony Music Publishing UK Renews Daecolm Deal Amid ‘I Adore You’ Success: ‘It’s a Privilege To Be on the Journey Together’

    Self-described “eclectic Afropolitan artist” Daecolm has extended his decade-running exclusive partnership with Sony Music Publishing (SMP). SMP unveiled its worldwide publishing pact with Daecolm today, after initially signing the Zimbabwe native in 2016. Per the publisher, the renewed tie-up covers the professional’s “existing catalogue and future recordings.” This body of work...

11. Broadway Musicians Announce Tentative Agreement, Averting a Strike — And Potentially Hundreds of Show Cancellations

    Broadway musicians’ union AFM Local 802 has reached a tentative agreement with the Broadway League, averting a potential strike. AFM Local 802 has announced reaching a tentative agreement with the Broadway League and Disney Theater Productions. The news comes after the musicians’ union said it was prepared to strike should a deal not be reached […]

12. Billboard Latin Music Week 2025: Up Close On a Genre That Is Now ‘Absolutely Huge’ With Gen Z, Alpha, and Non-Spanish Speakers

    As Billboard Latin Music Week returned to The Fillmore Miami Beach in 2025, we spoke to Mike Van, CEO of Billboard, about the rising interest in Latin music among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. “When you see that kind of demand against Latin music that crosses over to audiences that don’t speak Spanish, that’s when […]

13. Ace Frehley’s Death Reportedly Under Investigation as Toxicology Details Remain Forthcoming

    The death of Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley is reportedly under investigation as toxicology details remain forthcoming. An investigation has been launched into the death of Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away in New Jersey last week. He was 74 years old. A rep for the Morris County Medical Examiner’s office tells TMZ that an […]

14. Kakao Founder Fully Acquitted of Stock Manipulation Charges

    Kakao founder Kim Beom-su has been acquitted on charges of stock manipulation in a trial held on October 21. Kim Beom-su, founder of Kakao Group and head of Kakao’s Future Initiative Center, has been acquitted of all charges in a trial on October 21. The news follows his indictment for alleged conspiracy to manipulate SM […]

15. Roger Goodell Defends Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Pick — Points to a “Uniting Moment”

    NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defends the league’s decision to have Bad Bunny headline the Super Bowl halftime show following far-right backlash. Roger Goodell, the NFL’s commissioner since 2006, has doubled down on the league and Roc Nation’s decision to have Puerto Rico superstar Bad Bunny headline the Super Bowl halftime show following backlash from the […]