Sony's Michael Jackson deal given green light

Sony Corp has been given the green light by EU antitrust regulators to buy out the Michael Jackson estate’s share in its Sony/ATV publishing business. The deal now means that Sony Corp will own the copyrights to The Beatles catalogue and music by Taylor Swift. According to the European Commission the deal would not harm competition in the recorded music and music publishing sectors. (Music Week)

Kesha drops California lawsuit against Dr Luke

Kesha has scaled back her legal actions against Dr. Luke and provided 28 new songs to her label Sony as she bids to get her music career back on track. The singer will continue to pursue appeals in New York, where a judge dismissed her sexual abuse claims against Gottwald in April, but has dropped a similar set of claims in California. "Kesha has dismissed her California action without prejudice while she pursues her appeal and other legal claims in the New York courts," said her counsel, Daniel Petrocelli, in an official statement. "Kesha is focused on getting back to work and has delivered 28 new songs to the record label. We have conveyed to Sony and the label Kesha's strong desire to release her next album and single as soon as possible." (Rolling Stone)

Wildlife appoints Emma Greengrass as new MD

Leading artist management company Wildlife Entertainment has announced the appointment of experienced music industry executive Emma Greengrass to the position of managing director. Greengrass joins the company from label services specialists Caroline International. Wildlife, which represents Arctic Monkeys, The Last Shadow Puppets, Travis and Royal Blood among others, has also promoted accounts manager Sarah Abbott to the position of finance director.

Sales up 8.2% for Sony YOY, but operating income almost halves

Sony Corp's music operations recorded an 8.2% increase in sales for Q2 year-on-year to $1.374 billion up from the $1.27bn. However, the firm's operating income dropped from $310 million to $155 million in the same period. Sony attributed the revenue increase to growth in streaming and increases from its visual media and platforms. Sony put its fall in operating income down in part to "re-measurement of SME's [Sony Music Entertainment's] equity interest in [distributor] The Orchard". (Billboard)

New Frank Ocean album out Friday as Apple exclusive

Frank Ocean is set to release his new album Boys Don't Cry on Friday as an Apple exclusive. Ocean’s album, which comes four years after his debut LP Channel Orange, is expected to remain exclusive to Apple for two weeks before becoming more widely available. He unveiled a video stream on his website yesterday with the Apple Music logo prominent in the corner. (New York Times)

Indie label reveals high streaming rates

An unnamed indie label has revealed details on how much streaming services are paying artists. The independent R&B, rap/hip-hop label discovered some outrageously high per-stream payments from Tidal and Microsoft Groove, who are now paying several dollars per stream. (Digital Music News)

Bastille top Trending Chart

Bastille top this week's Official Trending Chart with Good Grief, ahead of Final Song by MO at No.2 and Tilted by Christine & The Queens at No.3. The full Top 20 is as follows: 

Universal's UMTV division becomes UMOD as part of major relaunch 

SXSW reveals first batch of speakers for 2017

SXSW has announced its first wave of speakers for 2017. Jennifer Doudna and Jill Soloway will deliver keynotes, with other speakers to include Nadya Tolokonnikova, Dan Lyons, Magic Johnson, and Candice Morgan. The conference will take place in Austin, Texas, from March 10-19. 

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