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. Disney World Removes Aerosmith from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster After 26 Years

   Disney World has permanently removed Aerosmith from its Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster after 26 years, replacing them with the Muppets in 2026. Disney has removed the fan-favorite Aerosmith pre-show that played before boarding the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The video has been played […]

2. Analysts Mixed on Spotify Heading into 2026—Erste Group Downgrades SPOT, Deutsche Bank Says ‘Buy!’

   Some analysts remain bullish on Spotify stock despite the exit of founder and CEO Daniel Ek, but others say SPOT is overvalued in the broader market. Spotify stock (NYSE: SPOT) has indisputably tanked since founder and CEO Daniel Ek became an ex-CEO, with Goldman Sachs having downgraded the stock back in October. Now, as we […]

3. Sony Music Publishing Inks “Maybe” Singer-Songwriter Sienna Spiro

   Sony Music Publishing has officially signed 20-year-old singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro to an exclusive global publishing agreement—cementing her place among pop’s fastest-rising talents. The deal represents the latest move by SMP to expand its portfolio of emerging songwriters with strong streaming and social footprints. Sienna has emerged as a streaming phenomenon with 6.6 million monthly...

4. Latest Music Industry Hires: Oak View Group, Skyline Artists, TikTok, WMG, iHeartMedia, Atlantic Screen Group, CAA, A2IM, More

   Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of December 5th, 2025. If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to noah@digitalmusicnews.com. And, keep track of all the […]

5. 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 […]

6. 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 […]

7. 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 […]

8. 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 […]

9. 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 […]

10. 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, […]

11. 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 […]

12. 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 […]

13. 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 […]

14. 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 […]

15. 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 […]