Blog: Kobalt

Read our latest daily deep dives, hot takes, and exciting updates about the digital entertainment world. Check out the latest from your favourite analyst, or search by coverage - games, video, music, audio, social, or critical developments.

Sony just became (even more of) an independent powerhouse

Mark Mulligan

1 Feb 2021

AWAL

Kobalt

Sony Music

Sony Music has bought AWAL (and Kobalt Neighbouring Rights) from Kobalt for $430 million . By adding AWAL to its already-booming Orchard division (as well as other distribution companies), it now has leading...

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How Music Publishers Are Driving a Full Stack Revolution

Mark Mulligan

14 Oct 2019

anthem

avl

AWAL

Music publishing catalogues are gaining momentum fast as an asset class for institutional investments, with transactions ranging from large catalogue mergers and acquisitions (M&A) through to investment...

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Creator Support: A New Take on User Centric Licensing

Mark Mulligan

26 Apr 2019

Amuse

artist streaming income

Artists

User-centric licensing (i.e. stream pay-outs based on sharing the royalty income of an individual user split across the music they listen to) has stimulated a lot of debate. I first explored the...

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Kobalt is a Major Label Waiting to Happen

Mark Mulligan

6 Mar 2019

artist contracts

Artists

AWAL

Disclaimer: Kobalt is a label, a publisher, as well as a Performing Rights Organisation (PRO). This post focuses on its label business, but does not presume to overlook its other aspects. News has emerged...

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Spotify and the Music Industry: Who Needs Who More?

Zach Fuller

6 Apr 2018

Kobalt

Netflix

Sony

Following Spotify’s DPO earlier this week, much of the financial commentary around the listing emphasised the company’s loss-making status. Those familiar with Spotify’s business model know this...

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What Spotify Can Learn From The Roman Slave Trade

Mark Mulligan

13 Oct 2017

age of enlightenment

AWAL

Believe Digital

OK, you’re going to have to bearwith me on this one, but let me take you back to 2nd century Rome… The Roman Empire was at the peak of its powers. Its borders stretched from Scotland down to Syria...

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What Sony Music's Purchase Of Essential Music Says About The Future Of The Music Industry

Mark Mulligan

2 Mar 2016

AWAL

Blockchain

consolidation

Independent label services company Essential Music & Marketing is no longer independent, having just been acquired by Sony Musi c and merged with Sony’s label services division Red to create a new...

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