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ESMAA, an Abu Dhabi-based rights management entity representing global music stakeholders in the Gulf and Middle East, and Anghami (NASDAQ: ANGH), the leading music and entertainment streaming platform in the Middle East and North Africa region, have announced a new music licensing agreement on behalf of independent music publishers.

This deal marks the resolution of a legal dispute between ESMAA (representing PopArabia and Reservoir) and Anghami, clearing the path for a new joint performance and mechanical licensing agreement based on global practices for representation, reporting, and claims. ESMAA represents the repertoire of PopArabia, including the company’s Arabic music catalog and its global sub-published repertoire and represents the repertoire of IMPEL, the international collective of music publishers in this deal.

This partnership is the first of its kind between international independent music publishers and a domestic streaming service, reaffirming ESMAA and Anghami's commitment to supporting the music ecosystem in the MENA region, ensuring fair compensation for songwriters, composers, and publishers while delivering exceptional value to consumers.

09 Jan 2026 | Press release

Ministry of Sound Undergoes Huge Renovation Ahead of 35th Anniversary Year

A new KV2 sound system, multi-dimensional light installation, and a fully redesigned dancefloor and DJ booth will be completed in January Ministry of Sound is set to undergo the most significant transformation since it opened in 1991. A complete reimagining of sound, space...more

09 Jan 2026 | Press release

Nightlife Bosses Push Back: ‘It’s Not Just Pubs Under Threat’ Says NTIA

  Sector anger grows as government rhetoric suggests only pubs may receive business rates relief in today's media leak   Nightlife operators and cultural venue owners have pushed back against government and media suggestions that only pubs will benefit from upcoming business rates reductions. Industry...more

09 Jan 2026 | Press release

Independent Venue Week 2026: January 26th - February 1st

IVW Artist Ambassadors’ Nova Twins, Brògeal and Eve Goodman announce exclusive live shows to celebrate the importance of independent venues Nova Twins play a hometown gig at London’s Amersham Arms on January 27th Brògeal perform two Scottish shows across the week at...more

09 Jan 2026 | Press release

Bank on it: FreshTunes Expands Payment Options for Artists

FreshTunes, the label services platform for artists everywhere, is rolling out a new option for royalty payments worldwide. Starting in Q1 2026, artists anywhere in the world will be able to receive their payouts directly to their Visa or Mastercard...more

09 Jan 2026 | Press release

The European Festival Report 2025: Festivals Still Thriving Despite Rising Production Costs and Boycott Pressure

The European Festival Report is the essential annual guide to the continent’s popular music festival industry, offering insights into current challenges, priorities for 2025, and developments in health, safety, and sustainability. Published by IQ Magazine in partnership with YOUROPE, the...more

09 Jan 2026 | Press release

Introducing Apple Music Integration for AlphaTheta’s CDJ-3000X

Apple Music has announced an update enabling Apple Music integration with AlphaTheta’s next-generation multi-player, the CDJ-3000X.With this update, the CDJ-3000X and its new StreamingDirectPlay feature give Apple Music subscribers access to over 100 million songs on Apple Music and the latest playlists on...more

08 Jan 2026 | Press release

NTIA calls for transport investment alongside proposed drink drive limit changes

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “Road safety has to come first, and the night-time economy absolutely supports efforts to reduce harm and save lives. No venue, operator or community wants to see people injured or killed...more

07 Jan 2026 | Press release

Streamed and retail entertainment sales grew four times faster than UK economy in 2025

Music, video and games revenues up 7.1% to £13.3bn    Streaming services and retailers grew UK revenues from music, video and games by 7.1% in 2025 to a new all-time-record of £13,257.3m, according to interim annual figures published today (January 7) by...more

07 Jan 2026 | Press release

Save the date: Record Store Day - 18 April 2026

Celebrating 19 years of independent record shops and vinyl culture in the UK Record Store Day (RSD) returns on Saturday 18 April 2026 for its 19th edition, celebrating independent record shops and the people who support them. More than 280 UK...more

07 Jan 2026 | Press release

Soundstripe and PopArabia Launch First Sync Camp in Middle East

  Soundstripe, the premier music licensing platform, is collaborating with Abu Dhabi-based independent music company PopArabia to create a series of songwriting camps for MENA based artists and songwriters. The first camp, Soundstripe’s first outside of the US, took place this October in...more

07 Jan 2026 | Press release

Universal Music Group to transform music experience for billions of fans with Nvidia AI

Leveraging NVIDIA AI infrastructure and drawing from the world’s leading music catalog comprising millions of culture-defining tracks, this collaboration aims to pioneer responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement    Universal Music Group (EURONEXT: UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, announced...more

07 Jan 2026 | Press release

Universal Music Group appoints James Steven as EVP & Chief Communications Officer

  Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the appointment of James Steven as its Executive Vice President & Chief Communications Officer. Steven will be responsible for leading the company’s internal and external communications, and oversee the communications...more

07 Jan 2026 | Press release

Warner Chappell Music strikes global publishing deal with Ziggy Alberts

Today, Warner Chappell Music expands its global roster with the signing of Australian singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts to a worldwide publishing deal. Signed through Warner Chappell Music Australia, the agreement will encompass Alberts’ complete catalogue and future works, with a close collaborative partnership alongside Warner Chappell Music Nashville to support...more

07 Jan 2026 | Press release

IRMA announcement of Ireland’s recorded music consumption data for 2025: “Homegrown talent surges in popularity, propelling another year of solid growth for Ireland’s recorded music market”

Homegrown talent surges in popularity, propelling another year of solid growth for Ireland's recorded music market  Releases from Fontaines DC, CMAT, Kingfishr, Amble, Hozier & Jazzy helped grow the Irish singles market by 7% and albums by 12% in 2025. Irish artists' market share...more

06 Jan 2026 | Press release

Italian annual official music charts 2025 celebrates Italian leadership

YOUNG ACT OLLY DOMINATES ALBUMS AND SINGLES, RAPPER CAPAREZZA TOPS THE PHYSICAL CHART Consumption, records and trends in the Italian music market in 2025 ALL THE CHARTS HERE     The soundtrack of 2025 in Italy is strongly dominated by local music: it’s the result...more

06 Jan 2026 | Press release

Superstition is crowned ‘Your Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song’ by BBC Radio 2 listeners

  BBC Radio 2 listeners have crowned Superstition as their ‘Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song’, following an audience vote from a long list of his 60 most played solo tracks on the station.   The song, taken from Stevie’s 15th studio album Talking Book, was a hit...more

02 Jan 2026 | Press release

Christmas break 2025 - News

News from the break will appeared here from 20 December to 4 January.Most stories have now been moved to the 5 January daily email. ————————————————————NEWS Kylie Minogue scooped the festive No1 single, beating Wham! to the top spot. (Mail, Sun) The vibrant pulse...more

31 Dec 2025 | Press release

New wave of global British breakthrough talent helps UK recorded music grow for 11th consecutive year

  UK recorded music consumption rises to 210 million albums, with over 200 billion audio streams generated for the first time and vinyl sales rising for an 18th consecutive year to keep physical formats in growth. British breakthrough artists including Olivia Dean, Lola...more

30 Dec 2025 | Press release

New Year's Honours list

OBEPhil Patterson, for services to Export and to the Music Industry. Karen Emanuel. Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Key Production Group, for services to Music. CBEComposer Max Richter, for services to Music. MBESinger Ellie Goulding, for services to biodiversity and the climate. Cynthia Erivo,...more

29 Dec 2025 | Press release

Karen Emanuel, Founder and CEO of Key Production Group, Awarded an OBE for Services to Music

    Karen Emanuel named in The King’s 2025 New Year’s Honours List, announced today Karen set up Key Production in 1990 - now the biggest physical music manufacturing agency in Europe, servicing the music industry A significant figure in improving gender imbalances within...more

20 Dec 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group and Roblox announce strategic agreement to expand creative and commercial music experiences on the platform for artists, labels and fans

Roblox will collaborate with UMG to introduce industry-leading integrations on the platform to music fans and Roblox users globally Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment and Roblox, an immersive gaming and creation platform, today announced a new strategic agreement...more

20 Dec 2025 | Press release

6 exceptional collaborative new music projects supported to tour across the UK and Republic of Ireland through PRS Foundation's Beyond Borders

  PRS Foundation, together with Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Ireland announce the UK and Ireland-based organisations, music groups and composers that will receive funding through the co-commissioning and touring programme Beyond Borders. The...more

19 Dec 2025 | Press release

PRS for Music and IPRS announce groundbreaking new licensing model to launch Apple Fitness+ in India

  PRS for Music and the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) have today announced a landmark new licensing model to support the launch of Apple Fitness+ in India. The new initiative marks a significant step forward in how digital music rights are...more

19 Dec 2025 | Press release

North East Music Leader Named On Influential Government Creative Council

  Generator CEO will sit among leading figures from film, TV, design and other creative sectors to champion regional music industry The leader of a North East headquartered music development organisation has been named on an influential Government-led body charged with developing...more

19 Dec 2025 | Press release

‘The Numbers No Longer Add Up’: Half of Night Time Venues Face 50%+ Business Rate Rises as 2026 Operating Costs Become Unsustainable

Britain’s nightclubs, live music venues, and late-night entertainment spaces are warning that 2026 will bring unsustainable operating costs, with nearly half of venues expecting business rates to rise by 50% or more, according to a flash poll of 345 nightlife business operators.  Rising rates...more

19 Dec 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group and Splice to Collaborate on the Next Generation of AI-powered Music Creation Tools for Artists

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and Splice, the world's most popular music creation platform, have agreed to collaborate on joint exploration of the next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for musical artists. UMG and Splice are...more

18 Dec 2025 | Press release

Global Nightlife Leaders from Over 30 Countries Converge on Liverpool for Night Time Economy Summit 2026

  Liverpool will take centre stage in the global nightlife conversation as night-time economy leaders from more than 30 countries converge on the city for the Night-Time Economy Summit 2026, taking place on 11th and 12th February 2026.  Hosted at Blackstock Market, the two-day Summit...more

18 Dec 2025 | Press release

European Talent Exchange presents final results 2025

ESNS Alumni make international impact across festivals in 2025 European Talent Exchange proudly presents the final results of 2025, a year in which emerging European artists crossed borders at an exceptional pace. Throughout the year, the programme supported 352 shows by 150...more

18 Dec 2025 | Press release

Independent music publishers generated €2.7bn in 2024 globally - up 5.1% YoY

The latest edition of IMPF's Global Market View also confirms that the collective global market share of the independent music publishing community held firm at 26.3% in 2024.   Independent music publishers generated €2.7bn globally in 2024, representing a 5.1% increase year-on-year. The...more

18 Dec 2025 | Press release

PPL distributes £54.3 million to 147,000 performers and recording rightsholders bringing payments in 2025 to £277.7 million

PPL is paying £54.3 million to 147,000 performers and recording rightsholders today, either as direct members of PPL or indirectly through other collective management organisations (CMOs), including over 8,500 first time payees. This final distribution of the year also includes...more

09 Jan 2026

  • Lucian Grainge outlines UMG's 2026 plans in staff memo (see News)

  • Skye Newman wins Radio 1's Sound of 2026 (see News)

08 Jan 2026

  • Spotify now lets you share what you’re streaming in real time with friends (see Digital)

07 Jan 2026

  • Streamed and retail entertainment sales grew four times faster than UK economy in 2025 (see News)

  • UMG announces collaboration with NVIDIA to pioneer responsible AI for music discovery, creation, and engagement (see News)

06 Jan 2026

  • 2026 music industry predictions (see Features)

05 Jan 2026

  • New wave of global British breakthrough talent helps UK recorded music grow for 11th consecutive year (see News)

19 Dec 2025

  • What’s going to give you the marketing edge in 2026? (see Features)

18 Dec 2025

  • The global value of music copyright hits an all-time high (see Reports)

17 Dec 2025

  • The 'metamorphosis' of Atlantic Records (see Features)

16 Dec 2025

  • Looking ahead to 2026 (see Opinion)

  • Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan (see News)

15 Dec 2025

  • Music discovery: More channels, more problems (see Reports)