This week, MBW reported that Universal Music Group banked gross proceeds of EUR €403 million (USD $467 million) from selling part of its Spotify shareholding during the first half of 2026.
Meanwhile, Spotify revealed that it reached 300 million Premium subscribers in Q2 2026.
Also this week, Warner Music Group disclosed that its Recorded Music subscription streaming revenues rose 11% YoY in calendar Q2, indicating that the surprise departure of CFO Armin Zerza was not driven by a weak quarter.
Elsewhere, we learned that AI music company Suno has plans to let users press their AI-generated songs onto 12-inch vinyl records.
Plus, Merlin signed a licensing agreement with Spotify covering the streaming platform’s upcoming AI-powered fan-made covers and remixes tool.
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. Universal has sold a chunk of Spotify stock for around $467M. Artists will likely be paid over $100M of it.
Universal Music Group banked gross proceeds of EUR €403 million (USD $467 million) from selling part of its Spotify shareholding during the first half of 2026.
On MBW‘s calculations, UMG artists could be in line for approximately $131 million of that money.
The sale figure was disclosed by UMG CFO Matt Ellis on the company’s Q2 and H1 2026 earnings call on Thursday (July 30). (MBW)
2. Spotify hits 300m Premium subscribers in Q2, adding 7m, as streamer posts $762m operating profit
Spotify grew its global Premium Subscriber base to 300 million paying users in Q2 (the three months to the end of June).
That’s according to the company’s latest financial results (for Q2 2026), published on Tuesday (August 4).
Spotify‘s Premium Subscriber base at the close of Q2 was up by +7 million net subs on the 293 million that the firm counted at the end of the prior quarter (Q1 2026). (MBW)
3. Warner Music Group and its CFO didn’t part ways because of a dud quarter – WMG filing shows subscription streaming revenues up 11% YoY in calendar Q2
WMG left the industry reeling late on Friday (July 31), with the shock announcement that Armin Zerza was leaving his dual CFO and COO role, effective immediately — a departure the company attributed to “personal reasons.”
Zerza’s exit came just two months after WMG handed him that expanded COO remit on top of his CFO duties.
Today (August 3), WMG has made another unusual move – though one with a positive message for investors. (MBW)
4. Suno muscles into vinyl market, plans to let users press their AI songs onto 12-inch records
Are the songs that people make on Suno competing with the work of human artists?
It’s an ongoing debate, and a pillar of the legal fight between the AI company and those major rightsholders suing it for copyright infringement.
Now, the debate is taking another turn, as Suno moves into the vinyl market. (MBW)
5. Merlin signs Spotify licensing deal for AI-powered ‘fan-made’ covers and remixes
Spotify has signed a licensing agreement with Merlin, the digital licensing partner for independent labels and distributors, for its upcoming fan-made covers and remixing tool.
The tool will let fans create covers and remixes of songs from participating Merlin members’ artists and songwriters.
It will launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users, and according to the company, “will create an additional revenue stream for participating artists”. (MBW)
Partner message: MBW’s Weekly Round-up is supported by BMI, the global leader in performing rights management, dedicated to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the value of music. Find out more about BMI here. Music Business Worldwide
Weekly Round-up Summary from Music Business Worldwide
Welcome to the Weekly Round-up, a comprehensive overview of the most significant news stories in the music industry from the past week. This edition is supported by BMI, a leading entity in performing rights management, which emphasizes the importance of songwriters, composers, and publishers in the music ecosystem.
Major Developments in the Music Industry:
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Universal Music Group’s Stock Sale: Universal Music Group (UMG) reported gross proceeds of EUR €403 million (approximately USD $467 million) from selling a portion of its stake in Spotify during the first half of 2026. UMG’s CFO, Matt Ellis, disclosed this information during the company’s earnings call on July 30. This sale is significant as it suggests that UMG artists could potentially receive about $131 million from this transaction, highlighting the financial dynamics between major music companies and their affiliated artists.
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Spotify Reaches 300 Million Premium Subscribers: Spotify announced that it reached a milestone of 300 million Premium subscribers by the end of Q2 2026, adding 7 million new users during this quarter. The financial results, released on August 4, also revealed that Spotify achieved an operating profit of $762 million. This growth indicates Spotify’s strong position in the streaming market and its ability to attract and retain subscribers.
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Warner Music Group’s Financial Performance: Warner Music Group (WMG) experienced an 11% year-over-year increase in subscription streaming revenues in calendar Q2. This positive financial news came just days after the unexpected resignation of CFO Armin Zerza, who left for personal reasons. The timing of his departure raised questions, but the revenue growth suggests that WMG’s financial health is stable, countering any assumptions that the resignation was due to poor performance.
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Suno’s Entry into the Vinyl Market: AI music company Suno is making waves by allowing users to press their AI-generated songs onto 12-inch vinyl records. This initiative raises ongoing discussions about the implications of AI-generated music and its competition with human artists. As the legal landscape evolves around copyright issues, Suno’s move into vinyl reflects the growing intersection of technology and traditional music formats.
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Merlin’s Licensing Agreement with Spotify: Merlin, a digital licensing partner for independent labels and distributors, has signed a licensing deal with Spotify for an innovative fan-made cover and remixing tool. This tool will enable fans to create covers and remixes of songs from Merlin-affiliated artists, with the feature set to launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium users. This agreement not only facilitates fan engagement but also aims to generate additional revenue streams for participating artists.
Conclusion: This week’s roundup captures pivotal moments in the music business, showcasing the interplay between digital platforms and traditional music practices, and highlighting the financial maneuvers of major music companies. With UMG’s stock sale, Spotify’s subscriber growth, WMG’s revenue increase, and innovative moves from Suno and Merlin, the industry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by technology and changing consumer preferences. As these stories unfold, they offer a glimpse into the future of music, where artists and companies alike navigate a landscape increasingly shaped by innovation and collaboration.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks as the music business landscape continues to develop.
