Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern to retire at end of 2026
CMA says successor is expected to be announced in February Source
Music News Stream
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From GMR’s new CEO to 253m tracks on streaming platforms… it’s MBW’s weekly round-up
The biggest headlines from the past few days... Source
Kobalt and Madverse team up to boost South Asian royalties
There is plenty of excitement around the growth in streams for Indian and South Asian artists, but in some cases royalties aren’t yet flowing as they should be. That’s something Kobalt and local firm Madverse Music are trying to solve with their new partnership. Madverse is a distribution, publishing and marketing firm that works with more than 150,000 […] The post is from Music Ally.
Blackpink reveal physical editions of ‘Deadline’ mini-album
2026 is going to be quite the year for K-Pop’s global growth. BTS have revealed their new album and a 79-date world tour, but fellow South Korean stars Blackpink are also back on cycle this year. The group are already in the midst of their ‘Deadline’ tour, with dates announced up to 26 January in Hong Kong. […] The post is from Music Ally.
Sacem and Mavin Records launch ‘Afrocroiser’ songwriting camp
Early next week, a group of French and Nigerian songwriters will be getting together in Lagos to collaborate under the wing of Mavin Records, French collecting society Sacem and the French Embassy in Nigeria. They have teamed up for the first ‘Afrocroiser’ writing camp, which will take place in Mavin’s studios from 18-25 January. The […] The post is from Music Ally.
10 artists to get $100k each from Tidal ‘Headliners’ contest
Last November, streaming service Tidal started allowing artists to upload tracks directly to its platform, SoundCloud-style. The announcement came with the promise of a ‘Headliners’ contest with a $1m prize pool for DIY musicians. Now the first winners have been announced. 10 artists will trouser $100k each, paid directly to their Cash App balances – Cash […] The post is from Music Ally.
BMG merges sync, production music and media-services teams
There is more restructuring afoot within BMG, which is bringing together its sync, production music and media services teams into one brand called Sync+. The company said the new structure “strengthens coordination across regions and enables BMG to operate with greater speed, clarity, and consistency throughout the creative and licensing processes”. A one-stop-shop for brands, filmmakers and creators is […] The post is from Music Ally.
AI-music firm Udio is recruiting a head of artist partnerships
Fresh from signing licensing deals with Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, AI-music startup Udio is now looking to build bridges with the music industry in another way: by recruiting a head of artist partnerships. Whoever gets the US-based role will “lead Udio’s relationships with artists, artist managers, labels, and key stakeholders across the music […] The post is from Music Ally.
Spotify to raise its Premium prices in the US by $1 next month
Spotify’s announcement last August that it was raising its subscription prices outside the US begged the obvious question of when it would do so *inside* the US too. Reports in November predicted a hike in Q1 2026, and they were on the money. Spotify announced its plans yesterday for the US as well as Estonia and Latvia. In the […] The post is from Music Ally.
AI track ‘Jag vet, du är inte min’ banned from Swedish charts
We’re already thinking hard about how streaming services should treat AI-generated music in 2026, but as more tracks using AI in various ways go viral, there are challenges for another group of industry entities: chart compilers. Last year we covered the controversy around the original version of UK producer Haven’s ‘I Run’, whose AI-assisted vocals […] The post is from Music Ally.
Touring Economics: Why Concert Tickets Cost $150 in Austin But $68 in Cleveland
New data uncovers how venue competition and regional pricing patterns are reshaping the sustainability of live music in different U.S. cities. The post Touring Economics: Why Concert Tickets Cost $150 in Austin But $68 in Cleveland appeared first on Hypebot.
How AI-Curious Artists Can Move Beyond ChatGPT
How artists can become AI experts just by building stronger intuition, and why that's even important in the first place. The post How AI-Curious Artists Can Move Beyond ChatGPT appeared first on Hypebot.
Jeff Toig named CEO at Irving Azoff’s GMR, as co-founder Randy Grimmett becomes Executive Chairman
Toig has served as Global Music Rights’ Chief Business Officer since 2018 Source
What will give you the marketing edge in 2026?
As revealed by Music Ally’s recent Campaigns of the Year report, 2025 was chock-full of creative and future-facing marketing efforts that engaged fans worldwide. With the popularity of physical music formats rising, superfan communities making a splash, and lots more, 2026 is looking to be another year of opportunity. In this Sandbox Guide, we’ve compiled advice from […] The post is from Music Ally.
David Byrne and Olivia Rodrigo release special ‘drivers license’ recording
For the fifth anniversary of Olivia Rodrigo’s record-breaking single ‘drivers license’ — which got her to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 at just 17 years old, making her the youngest ever artist to take the spot — iconic Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has covered the single, now available for listening online and on […] The post is from Music Ally.
Instagram adds new Edits app updates
The social media app is rolling out new 2026 features on its Edits app for creators. Additions include the ability to: Add links to an Instagram account or reel, which when exported from Edits become a clickable overlay A weekly ideas section, which hosts ten new suggestions based on Reels previously shared 25 new video effects, including bounce, […] The post is from Music Ally.
Mitski is leaking her phone number to fans
The American singer-songwriter has launched one of the first mystery campaigns of 2026, and it involves dropping her digits. If Mitski fans text or call the number posted on the website wheresmyphone.net, their messages appear on a public live feed of all the fans reaching out to the number in real time. Contacting the number then guides […] The post is from Music Ally.
SESAC names Chris Sheehan as VP, International
Veteran UK executive steps into international role following more than two decades of collaboration with the PRO Source
Live promoter Team Innovation has partnered with Odd Not Even
The newest “strategic” partnership to be announced out of India is (surprise! surprise!) not a deal involving an international major but a tie-up between two domestic entities, an events company and […] The post is from Music Ally.
Australia’s recorded music royalty rates for radio play to rise by 38% after tribunal ruling
The country's recorded music industry says it will push to end Australia's 1% cap on recording royalties paid by radio Source