Universal Music Group blog by MIDiA Research

Blog: Universal Music Group

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

Up close and personal: when the algorithm goes too far

Blog post by Tatiana Cirisano

24 Aug 2023

artificial intelligence

social media

algorithm

Today’s entertainment world is characterised by hyper-personalisation. Everyone has a unique TikTok feed tailored specifically to their own niches. DSP playlists have names like “For You” and “Made...

UMG, Endel, and the case for labels in the AI space

Blog post by Tatiana Cirisano

1 Jun 2023

Universal Music Group

Warner Music Group

record labels

The flood of new music created using artificial intelligence (AI) will further erode major label market share, and some label executives’ recent comments about the value of human-made music seem to put...

What comes next in the music streaming model makeover

Blog post by Tatiana Cirisano

17 Jan 2023

Music Streaming

Major labels

independent artists

The independent music community has been rallying for change to the streaming payment model for years. Now, major labels are joining the chorus. Why? The pro-rata model has long benefited bigger record...

A red-hot cultural movement (Taylor’s Version)

Blog post by Ashleigh Millar

23 Nov 2021

Fandom

music fans

Streaming

Here at MIDiA Research, we like to take a deep dive into fandom culture and the effect it has on industry progress and strategy. As of late, we have focused on the success behind tribal fandom (a skill...

Why Bored Ape and other NFTs need music (not just the other way around)

Blog post by Tatiana Cirisano

17 Nov 2021

NFT

cryptocurrency

Universal Music Group

The popular NFT collection-turned-collective Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) entered the music industry this week, as Universal Music Group (UMG) and Timbaland both announced plans to turn the brand’s trendy...

Backing Both Horses: The Thinking Behind Tencent’s UMG Stake

Blog post by Mark Mulligan

6 Aug 2019

bytedance

i-mode

Tencent

As long expected, Tencent is poised to take a stake in Vivendi, reported to be 10%. While the news might not be surprising, there are a number of important factors at play: Tencent fast-tracked? Given...

Taylor Swift, Label Services and What Comes Next

Blog post by Mark Mulligan

22 Nov 2018

#MERKY

ADA

Billy Bragg

Taylor Swift has done it again, striking a deal with UMG that includes a commitment from the world’s largest label group to share proceeds from Spotify stock sales with artists, even if they are not...

What UMG and Boomplay's Deal Tells Us About the Future of African Streaming

Blog post by Zach Fuller

6 Nov 2018

african streaming

boomplay

Streaming

Universal Music Group have announced today they will be signing a landmark licensing agreement with Boomplay, Africa’s leading music streaming and download service, in a deal that covers multiple markets...