And we thought big acquisitions of catalogs were done. From Spotify still trying to find a way out of their podcast problem to Majors confidently stepping in 2025, what a week!
#1. TikTok’s parent company launches its own music licensing platform
If you missed it, this week ByteDance has quietly launched EasyOde, a music licensing platform designed for short-form video, advertising, and other media. Positioned as a “one-stop rights-cleared music platform,” EasyOde offers a library of 60,000 tracks, music customization services, and AI-driven music recommendations based on uploaded video content. While little is known about the platform’s music sourcing, trademarks filed by ByteDance’s Cayman Islands-based affiliate, Lemon Inc., suggest a major push into licensing. Given ByteDance’s deep investments in AI music, industry insiders are speculating about the role AI-generated tracks may play in EasyOde’s catalog.
EasyOde’s emergence signals ByteDance’s growing ambitions in the music space, potentially shaking up the licensing market. While ByteDance has not confirmed whether AI-generated music is included, the company’s strategy to control more aspects of the music ecosystem is raising questions about its long-term impact on rights holders and the broader industry.
#2. Warner acquires Tempo Music Investments
Warner Music Group has officially acquired a majority stake in Tempo Music Investments, valuing the company at over $450 million. Tempo’s catalog includes rights associated with artists like Wiz Khalifa, Twenty One Pilots’ Tyler Joseph, Florida Georgia Line, and top songwriters like Brett James, Shane McAnally, and Jeff Bhasker. Many of these songwriters are already signed to Warner Chappell, making this acquisition an easy fit.
This marks Warner’s largest acquisition under CEO Robert Kyncl and the first major deal led by Michael Ryan-Southern, Warner’s EVP of Corporate Development. While some expected Warner’s next move to be in indie distribution, this catalog-focused deal underscores the company’s commitment to music IP ownership.
#3. The NMPA reiterates on Spotify’s “podcast problem”
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is ramping up its battle with Spotify, launching a major takedown action targeting alleged music infringement in podcasts. The NMPA has flagged over 2,500 cases of unauthorized use of copyrighted music within podcasts on the platform—and they’re just getting started.
This comes after months of tension between the two sides, particularly after Spotify reclassified most U.S. subscriptions as bundles, reportedly saving the company over $100 million in songwriter royalties. NMPA President David Israelite made it clear that they won’t back down until Spotify addresses what he calls its “podcast problem.”
Spotify, on the other hand, dismissed the takedown effort as a “press stunt” and claimed that the NMPA delayed action despite multiple requests for details. The streaming giant insists it will follow standard procedure by reviewing and removing flagged episodes “where appropriate.”
#4. A few insights on 2025 trends for streaming
Music streaming is evolving, with Luminate’s latest data revealing key trends for 2025 for proof. Without any surprise, Pop music had a standout year, led by Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, while R&B and Hip-Hop remained dominant despite a slight decline in market share.
Plus, Gen Z has overtaken millennials as the biggest spenders on live music, particularly festivals, though rising ticket prices remain a major barrier. Music discovery is increasingly driven by TV, short-form video, and gaming, with platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and streaming services influencing listening habits. Global streaming hit 4.8 trillion in 2024, but premium subscription growth lags in key markets.
Meanwhile, non-English artists are gaining traction in English-speaking countries, and international genres continue to expand their influence. As streaming habits shift, the industry must adapt to new audience behaviors and global trends.
#5. Universal Music Group heading into 2025
UMG CEO’s annual memo sets the tone for 2025, highlighting the arrival of “Streaming 2.0”—a shift toward innovation, consumer segmentation, and new monetization models. The company is doubling down on direct-to-consumer strategies, expanding superfan experiences, and securing major partnerships with platforms like Amazon and Spotify.
UMG also plans on keeping its push for responsible AI use and global market expansion, reinforcing its commitment to an artist-centric music ecosystem.
