Global music industry news

Here are some recent global music industry news:

Streaming

• Spotify has reached 150 million premium subscribers, up from 100 million in September 2018. (Source: The Verge)
• Apple Music has surpassed 60 million subscribers, up from 40 million in June 2018. (Source: Billboard)
• Tencent Music Entertainment, China's largest music streaming service, has reached 800 million monthly active users. (Source: Reuters)

Music Sales

• Global recorded music sales have reached $19.1 billion in 2020, up 14.6% from 2019. (Source: IFPI)
• Vinyl record sales have reached a 25-year high, with 13.6 million units sold in 2020. (Source: RIAA)
• Digital music sales have declined for the first time, with a 10.3% drop in 2020. (Source: IFPI)

Industry Trends

• Live music events have seen a significant rebound in 2021, with many festivals and concerts selling out quickly. (Source: Pollstar)
• The music industry is shifting towards a more decentralized and community-driven model, with platforms like Bandcamp and SoundCloud gaining popularity. (Source: Music Business Worldwide)
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to improve music discovery, recommendation, and production. (Source: Forbes)

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Warner Music Group has acquired a majority stake in independent label, Atlantic Records. (Source: Billboard)
• Sony Music Entertainment has acquired a majority stake in independent label, AWAL. (Source: Music Business Worldwide)
• Universal Music Group has acquired a majority stake in independent label, Republic Records. (Source: Variety)

Regulatory Issues

• The European Union has proposed new copyright rules that could require music streaming services to pay more royalties to artists and labels. (Source: The Verge)
• The US Copyright Royalty Board has increased the royalties paid by streaming services to songwriters and publishers. (Source: Billboard)
• The music industry is pushing for stronger anti-piracy measures, including increased funding for anti-piracy efforts. (Source: Music Business Worldwide)

New Technologies

• Spatial audio technology is gaining popularity, with many artists and labels experimenting with immersive audio experiences. (Source: Forbes)
• Virtual and augmented reality are being used to create new music experiences, including virtual concerts and interactive music videos. (Source: Music Business Worldwide)
• Blockchain technology is being used to create decentralized music platforms and to track music ownership and royalties. (Source: CoinDesk)

These are just a few examples of the many global music industry news stories that have been making headlines recently. The music industry is constantly evolving, and there are many exciting developments and trends to keep an eye on.