The latest round of earnings reports confirms that the global music industry remains financially strong, with subscription streaming at its core and publishing and performance income continuing to grow.

The opening weeks of 2026 have seen major developments across copyright, streaming, fan platforms, and physical music, reflecting continued structural shifts within the global music business. Below is a summary of the most notable updates.

The global music industry didn’t slow down in 2025 — it evolved.

According to Luminate’s 2025 Year-End Music Report, the past year marked a decisive shift away from the “growth at all costs” streaming era toward a more mature, diversified, and strategically complex ecosystem. Streaming remains foundational, but it is no longer the sole driver of success. Instead, value is being created across formats, platforms, territories, and fan relationships.

As 2026 gets underway, the music industry is entering a pivotal phase marked by accelerating artificial intelligence adoption, signs of streaming market saturation, and escalating legal battles around music licensing. The first weeks of the year already highlight how technology, rights enforcement, and revenue structures are evolving.

2025 was a defining year for the global music industry. Cultural milestones, technological disruption, legal disputes, and shifting power dynamics reshaped how music is created, distributed, and monetized. From record-breaking tours to renewed debates around artist rights and artificial intelligence, the past year highlighted both the opportunities and the growing complexities facing artists and music companies alike.

The past week has delivered several significant updates across AI, streaming, and rights-management infrastructure. Below is a concise roundup of the key stories and how they’re influencing the business side of music.

The third quarter of 2025 brought steady, broad-based growth across the global music business. From rising subscription revenues to new premium tiers and evolving audio formats, the industry continues to reshape itself around streaming and creator-led content. Below is a quick look at the key developments shaping this quarter.

The intersection of technology and music continues to evolve rapidly. This month’s industry headlines highlight major developments in AI-generated music, rights management, and market shifts that will shape how creators and companies approach royalties and licensing in 2026.

The music industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace — and the latest developments point toward a future where technology, finance, and independence intersect more tightly than ever. From Spotify’s new AI initiatives to indie distribution funds and major corporate mergers, the business of music is undergoing another strategic transformation.

The past few weeks have brought a wave of developments across the global music industry — from AI tackling royalty inefficiencies to renewed legal battles over generative music, and a major leadership change at Spotify. Below, we unpack four stories shaping the financial and rights landscape.

Recent headlines highlight how music continues to thrive as both culture and commerce. From the role of managers in the UK, to Wall Street’s appetite for royalty-backed investments, to Spain’s streaming boom and Korea’s K-Pop surplus — here’s a snapshot of how money is moving in music.

We’re excited to share that two incredible new clients have joined Divided By Three: Los Angeles-based songwriter/producer Peter Hanna and the dynamic team at Holland America Publishing (HAP).

The second quarter of 2025 was full of contrasts across the global music industry. While some companies posted record-breaking growth, others struggled with cost pressures, changing consumer behavior, and shifting revenue streams. Here’s a breakdown of how the world’s largest music companies fared.

The music industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and the past week brought major updates from platforms shaping its digital future—from TikTok empowering songwriters to Roblox unlocking new IP opportunities for creators.