From Universal Music’s fresh round of layoffs to Spotify’s catalog surge… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-up

Music Business Worldwide’s weekly round-up highlights a surge in older catalogue tracks across Spotify’s Top 200, leaving less room for new releases. It also reports senior departures at Universal Music Group as the company continues a major cost-cutting programme, alongside several developments in music finance, live events and AI labelling.

UMG’s programme aims to cut €250 million, or about $270 million, in annual expenses and is due to conclude next year. Ben Katovsky has been named chief executive of Pipeline, a $200 million-backed financing platform; AEG Presents has acquired Paris-based Auguri Productions; and YouTube Music is rolling out labels for songs made primarily with generative AI.