Turntable.fm Gets Its Label Deals Done

Its U.S. deals, that is. Next step: Getting its mojo back.

News Byte

Yet Another New Digital Music Service, But This One’s for Pros

Here’s an online music service you are very unlikely to use: GreenLight Music, a Web-based music-licensing exchange run by Corbis, the Seattle-based company best known for its photo-licensing operations. GreenLight is designed to let professional users, like commercial producers, quickly clear the rights to songs owned by big labels like Sony, Warner Music and EMI. GreenLight will take a fee ranging from 10 to 20 percent of each transaction.

Warner Music Group Gets a New Boss

New owners, new management: Edgar Bronfman Jr., who has run the label since 2004, moves up to chairman. Access Industries installs Stephen Cooper in his place.

When Will Spotify Finally Come to the U.S.?

The pact means that the streaming music company now has U.S. deals in place with three of the four largest labels, making it likely that the company will finally be able to move across the Atlantic this summer.

Meet Warner Music's New Owner (For Now): Len Blavatnik

Warner Music Group has a new owner: Len Blavatnik, a Russian-born billionaire who already owned part of the music label. Next question: Will Blavatnik keep his new purchase, carve it up, or try to double down on his music bet?

One Difference Between Apple's Music Locker and Amazon's: Label Deals

Amazon rolled out a cloud-based music service last month, without the approval of the big labels. But sources say Apple is seeking licenses–and paying up–for the rights to do something similar, and already has some pacts inked.

Why The Big Music Labels Won't Burn All Of Spotify's New Money (Right Away)

Spotify is set to cash a very big check. And while the big music labels would like to get their hands on most of it, immediately, they won’t. So how will the streaming service spend its dough?

Citigroup Gets Into the Music Business by Yanking EMI Out of Guy Hands's Hands

This has been happening in slow motion for years, and now it’s done: One of the world’s biggest music companies is now owned by one of the world’s biggest banks. But not for long.

News Byte

Is Warner Music a Buyer or a Seller? Goldman Sachs Says "Yes!"

Warner Music Group has hired Goldman Sachs to find a buyer for all or a portion of the music company, reports the New York Times. Warner Music Group has also hired Goldman Sachs to help it buy all or a portion of longtime rival EMI Music Group, the Times reports. The Times politely calls this an “unusual two-track process,” but it makes perfect sense for Goldman, which gets paid no matter what.

One Down: Spotify Signs Sony to U.S. Deal

This doesn’t get them into the States, but it gets them a lot closer: Music service Spotify has finally signed with Sony for a U.S. distribution deal. Multiple sources tell me the deal, which has been very close since last fall, is now closed.

Beatles Boost EMI. (But About That Debt…)

Google Rocks Real-Time Search

Shhh! EMI Posts Quietly Surprising Results.

Court Kills Preposterous Pirate Beatles Site

A Few Tunes for Hulu: Here’s Norah Jones

Beatles on iTunes? Nope. MP3? Yes.