The biggest music industry news | November 2025
Spotify’s music videos and Premium Platinum, TikTok and Amazon Music sharing, and Meta content protection. Plus, Warner and Suno’s landmark AI music deal, UK ticket resale ban, and RouteNote’s Dolby Track Mastering upgrade.
RouteNote upgrades Dolby Track Mastering
RouteNote has enhanced its Dolby Track Mastering service, making professional-grade, release-ready mastering even more flexible for independent artists. Users can now customise output formats, sample rates, and bit depths, or choose presets like Streaming, CD Quality, and MP3. The new “Your Downloads” page also lets artists view, search, and re-download all previously mastered tracks, streamlining the workflow for creators.
Spotify hits half a million video podcasts
The music streaming behemoth that is Spotify is fast becoming a destination for video content. It now hosts over half a million video podcasts, with around 400 million users having engaged and watched at least one. These figures represent a 54% increase on the previous year, and show no sign of slowing down. With Spotify now partnering with platforms like Netflix and introducing in-app music videos, artists have more opportunities than ever to expand into visual content on the platform.
Global songwriting royalties reach $13.6 billion
Songwriter royalties hit a record $13.6 billion in 2024, up 7.2% year-on-year, fuelled by rising streaming subscriptions and higher platform pricing. The US remained the largest market, while Central and Eastern Europe saw the fastest growth despite lower overall streaming penetration. However, CISAC warns that without stronger protections, AI-generated content could threaten up to 24% of creator income by 2028.
Sam Fender donates Mercury Prize winnings to Music Venue Trust
Sam Fender has donated his entire £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust to support struggling grassroots venues. The gesture underscores his belief that small, community-led venues were vital to his success, especially as over 150 have closed since early 2023. His support follows a previous £100,000 contribution raised during his 2024 arena tour, highlighting the urgent need to protect spaces that nurture emerging artists.
Spotify goes visual with music videos and new licensing deal
Spotify is stepping further into audiovisual content with the launch of on-platform music videos in the US and Canada, letting users switch seamlessly between audio and video tracks. This expansion coincides with a new direct licensing deal with the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), allowing independent publishers to opt in for audiovisual rights and earn additional royalties. Together, the music video rollout and licensing agreement signal Spotify’s growing focus on visual content, offering artists new ways to engage fans and monetise their work.
Amazon Music and TikTok launch ‘Share to TikTok’
Amazon Music and TikTok have introduced a ‘Share to TikTok’ feature, letting users post songs, albums, playlists, and even Amazon Music Originals directly to TikTok. Fans can also share personalised insights, like top artists and listening habits, turning their music activity into social content. This update offers artists a new route to being discovered, helping tracks reach wider audiences through fan-driven sharing.
Meta introduces Content Protection on mobile
Meta has rolled out a new Content Protection tool on mobile to help creators safeguard their original Reels across Instagram and Facebook. The feature scans both platforms for reposts, notifies creators, and lets them track performance, block videos, or add trusted accounts to an allow list. This gives artists and creators more control, ensures proper attribution, and helps their content reach wider audiences.
Spotify launches Premium Platinum
Spotify has rolled out a new Premium Platinum tier in five markets, offering 24-bit/44.1 kHz lossless audio and advanced AI features like an AI DJ and smarter playlist creation. The plan allows up to three users per account and supports DJ software integrations in some regions. Aimed at audiophiles and dedicated listeners, the tier comes at a higher price point and enhances Spotify’s premium offerings.
UK government to ban inflated ticket resales
Gig-goers rejoice! The UK government plans to outlaw reselling tickets for more than their original price, targeting touts and professional resale sites like Viagogo and StubHub. Fees will also be capped to prevent hidden mark-ups, aiming to make concerts, theatre shows, and sporting events more accessible. The move follows pressure from top artists and could save fans an estimated £145 million annually while cracking down on exploitative practices.
Warner Music Group and Suno form landmark partnership
Warner Music Group and Suno have struck a landmark deal letting Suno users create AI-generated music using WMG artists’ voices, likenesses, and compositions. The agreement ensures artists retain control through an opt-in system while earning licensing revenue, replacing last year’s lawsuit with a collaborative approach. Suno will also train future AI models on WMG’s catalog, expanding creative possibilities for users and driving paid subscriptions.