Universal Music

Taylor Swift’s Midnights generates $230m in sales for Universal
Star ‘smashed numerous records’ and raised close to 3% of the company’s revenues from recorded music in 2022
Edward Helmore
18, Jan, 2023 @5:46 PM

‘Holding the artist to ransom’: musicians struggle to break even as venues and Universal cream off merch sales
The Guardian found that Universal Music Group is profiting from the 25% cut that UK music venue chain AMG takes from gig merchandise sales – at a time when artists are feeling the pinch
Eamonn Forde
15, Apr, 2022 @12:54 PM

KFC and Pizza Hut owner and Heineken pause business in Russia
Mothercare and Universal Music also among latest round of firms to halt operations after invasion of Ukraine
Julia Kollewe
09, Mar, 2022 @10:15 AM

Sting sells back catalogue to Universal Music in deal worth up to $300m
Musician becomes latest big name to cash in on a long and successful career
Mark Sweney
10, Feb, 2022 @2:55 PM

UK watchdog to study music streaming amid claims of raw deal for artists and fans
Competition regulator acts after stinging criticism by MPs of record labels and platforms such as Spotify
Mark Sweney
27, Jan, 2022 @8:52 AM

MPs and music industry bodies criticise pay of Universal head Lucian Grainge
After a bonus payment, Grainge will earn more this year than all UK songwriters did from streaming and sales in 2019
Ben Beaumont-Thomas
10, Nov, 2021 @1:34 PM

Andrea Bocelli signs with Universal Music to cash in amid streaming era
Italian star whose back catalogue has been streamed more than 5bn times plans to release new albums
Mark Sweney
14, Oct, 2021 @1:01 PM

Beyoncé royalties firm adviser strikes $1bn deal with Blackstone
Private equity firm aims to cash in on music rights buying spree
Mark Sweney
12, Oct, 2021 @2:31 PM

‘Odds are against you’: the problem with the music streaming boom
As dust from the gold rush settles, big record companies and elite artists emerge firmly on top
Mark Sweney
02, Oct, 2021 @6:00 AM

Universal Music Group shares surge in £110m bonus for Lucian Grainge
Listing puts record label’s British-born boss in line for one of biggest corporate payouts in history
Mark Sweney
21, Sep, 2021 @12:06 PM

‘Ruthless but good ears’: Lucian Grainge is key architect of music industry revival
From threat of lights going off to $150m potential payday, executive has helmed change of fortunes at Universal
Mark Sweney
21, Sep, 2021 @6:26 AM

Universal Music chief predicts billions of dollars of growth from digital listening
Record firm’s €40bn flotation is just beginning of new wave of music consumption, says Sir Lucian Grainge
Mark Sweney
21, Sep, 2021 @5:00 AM
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