Music Recording, Broadcasting & Streaming News

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

The new fund, which will open for applications at 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March, offers money to support songwriters and composers during unprecedented times of hardship.

Published: 25 March 2020

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Music industry and charity leaders – including the MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge – have signed a joint open letter to the Chancellor, asking for a package of urgent measures to help the crisis-hit sector fight the impact of the coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday

The music sharing platform will not be taking a share of profits from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on 20 March, in a 24-hour drive to put money directly into artists’ pockets.

Published: 20 March 2020

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

Nearly a third of Poland has been declared an LGBT+ free zone, as 100 local authorities have said they will not promote LGBT+ tolerance or acceptance. This includes funding NGOs working to promote equality.

Published: 10 March 2020

New PACT Agreement

We are delighted to have reached a three-year agreement with the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television (PACT) which went live 1 March 2020.

Published: 05 March 2020

Concern Over Threat to Future of BBC Funding

The MU is concerned by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nicky Morgan’s confirmation that the government is considering the removal of the BBC licence fee over the long-term yesterday morning.

Published: 06 February 2020

6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport

The MU is fighting for a Musicians’ Passport so that you can keep working in the EU post-Brexit. And it looks like the message is getting through.

Published: 27 January 2020

Photograph of small suitcases in an aircraft cabin stowage

Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments

Flybe has listened to the concerns of musicians, and following a letter sent by the MU late last year, has amended its cabin baggage terms and conditions to accommodate small instruments.

Published: 06 January 2020

Photo of baggage being loaded into a place

Change in Flybe’s Musical Instruments on Planes Policy

The MU was disappointed to learn that Flybe’s Musical Instrument Policy has recently been updated, to the detriment of musicians travelling with their instruments.

Published: 16 December 2019

Details for CITES Rosewood Exemption Announced

The MU has learnt today that the CITES rosewood exemptions – which were agreed on at the last CITES meeting in Geneva – will take effect from 14 December 2019.

Published: 06 December 2019

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Over 48% of Musicians’ Union members surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work. Shockingly, a third of those people say their harassment was related to a protected characteristic, and another 21% said they were not sure.

Published: 03 December 2019

Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture

Musicians’ Union Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at how the MU is tackling sexual harassment in musicians’ workplaces, creating Safe Space for musicians to be heard and campaigning to ensure that everyone has an equal level of protection from sexual harassment.

Published: 25 November 2019

Photograph of guitar lying on its side with amp lead nearby

The London International Guitar Show Returns this Sunday

Now in its fourth year, The London International Guitar Show (LIGS) will be returning to Kempton Park Racecourse on Sunday 27 October 2019 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Published: 25 October 2019

Live Music Inquiry at National Assembly of Wales Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee

The MU was delighted to give evidence as part of a live music inquiry held by the National Assembly of Wales’ Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee.

Published: 21 October 2019

Photograph of person playing double bass against a dark background. Credit: Shutterstock

Help Musicians Re-opens £10,000 Fund for Promising Emerging Jazz Performers

Music charity Help Musicians has opened the 2019 application process for its £10,000 jazz fund, the renowned Peter Whittingham Jazz Award.

Published: 06 September 2019

Photo of bows for sale hanging in a shop. Photo credit: Shutterstock

CITES Votes in Favour of Allowing Exemption for Musical Instruments made with Rosewood

At the latest meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – which was held in Geneva – attendees voted in favour of allowing exemptions for musical instruments made with rosewood.

Published: 03 September 2019

Resource Pack for All Musicians Affected By the Collapse of PledgeMusic

Music industry organisations have put together a new resource pack for all musicians affected by the collapse of PledgeMusic.

Published: 01 August 2019

Empty stage in the dark with the microphone in the spotlight

Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry

MU members have raised concerns regarding a promoter's view that bands should not highlight their diverse make up, and that doing so is a form of tokenism that will prevent them from being booked.

Published: 30 July 2019

conference room filled with members , Dave Webster leading the discussion

First Ever Members' Conference Brings in Voices from Across the Union

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge today introduced the Union’s first ever Members' Conference – which saw members and officials from across the regions, as well as the Union’s Executive Committee (EC), coming together to discuss essential decisions for the future of the MU.

Published: 24 July 2019

Amanda Dal: "You Have to Be the Change You Want to See"

Multi-genre drummer Amanda Dal tells us about how becoming a member of the MU helped her to skirt dodgy gig deals early in her career, and inspired her to get active and make a difference.

Published: 08 July 2019

Andy Payne and his band The Heretic Order

Why I Joined the MU: Andy Payne

Drummer and teacher Andy Payne tells us about how advice from the MU has proved invaluable when making career choices.

Published: 21 June 2019

Photo of Ady Hall and Lee McCarthy in studio, with graphic text reading

Ady Hall: "The MU Has Got Your Back"

Music producer Ady Hall tells us about how the MU’s parental grant gave him peace of mind when he needed it.

Published: 10 June 2019

Portrait photograph of band members Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie, with text

Scottish Pop Duo "The Eves" on Why They Joined the MU

Scottish duo The Eves, Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie , talk through their reasons for joining the Musicians’ Union (MU) and why it’s benefited them.

Published: 30 April 2019

TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Drill Music, Rejects Discrimination Against Black Artists

The Musicians’ Union is delighted that the TUC Black Workers Conference voted to support music education in schools and end discrimination against drill artists.

Published: 17 April 2019

Musicians’ Union Welcomes Copyright Directive Success

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that the European Parliament has passed the final Copyright Directive text.

Published: 26 March 2019

Music Licensing Organisation PPL Announces Largest Ever Annual International Collection

PPL has announced that their international collection has grown over 40 per cent from 2017 to 2018. The Musicians’ Union welcomes this announcement as excellent news for their members.

Published: 04 February 2019

Musicians Required for Research into use of Backing Tracks and Stems in Live Performance

Are you a touring musician, regularly record commercial audio, or both? The Recording & Broadcasting section is actively seeking members to help find out more about the use of backing tracks and stems – particularly on tours.

Published: 29 January 2019

2019 Rates Increase for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration

The Musicians’ Union Executive Committee have endorsed a 3.3% increase for the General Terms & Conditions for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration rates.

Published: 21 January 2019

Report from the joint FIM/AFM International Conference on The Economy of Streaming Media

Musicians’ Union Executive Committee member Rick Finlay has published a report covering the discussion that took place at the conference. It is now available to download, along with the full text of the FIM/AFM’s Burbank Declaration.

Published: 16 November 2018

Music Industry Figures Reveal Surge in Exports, Recording Music and Jobs in Record £4.5 Billion Boost to UK Economy

UK Music’s 2018 Measuring Music report has revealed rises in UK music industry exports, recorded music and publishing revenues and music industry jobs.

Published: 01 November 2018

Dance Music Industry Backs Music Recognition Technology Being Extended to Nightclubs

PRS for Music and PPL are expanding their distribution policies to include data generated from music recognition technology, in turn improving the accuracy of royalty distributions.

Published: 18 October 2018

In-Depth Study on Global Music Listening Habits Released

IFPI released its ‘Music Consumer Insight Report 2018’ which examines the ways in which music consumers engage with recorded music.

Published: 17 October 2018

Launch of #LoveMusic Campaign Ahead of Key Copyright Directive Vote on 12 September

September 12 will see a crucial vote on the EU Copyright Directive, which aims to update current legislation and address the balance between billion-pound content platforms, and the meagre profit passed on to the content creators.

Published: 28 August 2018

Musicians’ Union Expresses Disappointment at MEPs' Decision to Reject the Copyright Directive

The fight goes on to ensure fair payments for use of musicians’ and creators’ work online.

Published: 05 July 2018

MU Delighted by BBC Development in East London

The Musicians’ Union has expressed its delight at the exciting news that the BBC has announced plans for new music studios in Stratford.

Published: 06 June 2018

Changes to PRS's Tariff LP are approved by the Copyright Tribunal

The Copyright Tribunal has approved a revision to PRS’s Tariff LP following three years of discussions between PRS and representatives of the live sector.

Published: 05 June 2018

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to attend the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Black Workers’ Conference

Published: 23 April 2018

MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be attending TUC Women’s Conference once again. The MU is taking two motions to TUC Women’s Conference focusing on festival line-ups, and sexual harassment in the music industry.

Published: 07 March 2018

Musicians’ Union Opposes Change to YouTube’s Partner Programme

The Musicians’ Union (MU) opposes recent changes to the terms of YouTube’s Partner Programme. The changes will affect who can monetise content on the platform, and may affect MU members looking to grow their channels.

Published: 23 January 2018

Did you sign a recording contract in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1990s?

The MU is collating case studies of members who have recording agreements that date back to before the emergence of downloads and streaming as the predominant way in which consumers listen to recorded music.

Published: 05 December 2017

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