From Suno’s vinyl transfer to Spotify’s ‘fan-made’ Merlin deal… it’s MBW’s Weekly Spherical-up

This week, MBW reported that Common Music Group banked gross proceeds of EUR €403 million (USD $467 million) from promoting a part of its Spotify shareholding in the course of the first half of 2026.

In the meantime, Spotify revealed that it reached 300 million Premium subscribers in Q2 2026.

Additionally this week, Warner Music Group disclosed that its Recorded Music subscription streaming revenues rose 11% YoY in calendar Q2, indicating that the shock departure of CFO Armin Zerza was not pushed by a weak quarter.

Elsewhere, we discovered that AI music firm Suno has plans to let customers press their AI-generated songs onto 12-inch vinyl data.

Plus, Merlin signed a licensing settlement with Spotify masking the streaming platform’s upcoming AI-powered fan-made covers and remixes device.

Listed below are among the greatest headlines from the previous few days…

1. Common has bought a piece of Spotify inventory for round $467M. Artists will doubtless be paid over $100M of it.

Common Music Group banked gross proceeds of EUR €403 million (USD $467 million) from promoting a part of its Spotify shareholding in the course of the first half of 2026.

On MBW‘s calculations, UMG artists could possibly be in line for roughly $131 million of that cash.

The sale determine was disclosed by UMG CFO Matt Ellis on the corporate’s Q2 and H1 2026 earnings name on Thursday (July 30). (MBW)

2. Spotify hits 300m Premium subscribers in Q2, including 7m, as streamer posts $762m working revenue

Spotify grew its international Premium Subscriber base to 300 million paying customers in Q2 (the three months to the top of June).

That’s in keeping with the corporate’s newest monetary outcomes (for Q2 2026), revealed on Tuesday (August 4).

Spotify‘s Premium Subscriber base on the shut of Q2 was up by +7 million web subs on the 293 million that the agency counted on the finish of the prior quarter (Q1 2026). (MBW)

3. Warner Music Group and its CFO didn’t half methods due to a dud quarter – WMG submitting exhibits subscription streaming revenues up 11% YoY in calendar Q2

WMG left the business reeling late on Friday (July 31), with the shock announcement that Armin Zerza was leaving his twin CFO and COO function, efficient instantly — a departure the corporate attributed to “private causes.”

Zerza’s exit got here simply two months after WMG handed him that expanded COO remit on high of his CFO duties.

Right this moment (August 3), WMG has made one other uncommon transfer – although one with a optimistic message for traders. (MBW)

4. Suno muscle tissue into vinyl market, plans to let customers press their AI songs onto 12-inch data

Are the songs that folks make on Suno competing with the work of human artists?

It’s an ongoing debate, and a pillar of the authorized battle between the AI firm and people main rightsholders suing it for copyright infringement.

Now, the talk is taking one other flip, as Suno strikes into the vinyl market. (MBW)

5. Merlin indicators Spotify licensing deal for AI-powered ‘fan-made’ covers and remixes

Spotify has signed a licensing settlement with Merlin, the digital licensing accomplice for impartial labels and distributors, for its upcoming fan-made covers and remixing device.

The device will let followers create covers and remixes of songs from collaborating Merlin members’ artists and songwriters.

It would launch as a paid add-on for Spotify Premium customers, and in keeping with the corporate, “will create an extra income stream for collaborating artists”. (MBW)