Twitch signed music licensing deals with all three major labels — Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment — as well as “a large number” of indie labels represented by Merlin, according to a blog post. The deals specifically cover DJs who live-stream on the platform; other uses of music are not covered.

Under the deals, starting this summer, DJs will need to opt into a new agreement that will apply to all streaming on their Twitch channels. Thereafter, a portion of DJs’ earnings on the platform will be paid to music companies, with the majority of those earnings subject to a 50-50 split between DJs and Twitch. To help DJs adjust to the change, Twitch says it will offer a one-year subsidy to help cover the difference in revenue that will be paid out to music companies, with the amount of the subsidy gradually reducing over time.

“It’s crucial that DJs understand the status quo on Twitch was not sustainable, and any viable future for the community required we find a solution,” the blog post reads. “We’ve worked with music partners over the past few years to develop this program. Without it, those who stream DJ content on Twitch without the necessary rights do so at the risk of receiving DMCA notifications and copyright penalties which could restrict their ability to stream on Twitch.”

According to Twitch, the number of DJs streaming on the platform has “more than quadrupled” since early 2020.

Tencent and its subsidiary Tencent Music Entertainment acquired a 10% stake in Thailand-based entertainment platform GMM Music for $70 million, valuing the company at $700 million. The stake will be paid for with a combination of cash and a minority stake in the Tencent-owned music streaming app JOOX Thailand. According to a press release, the deal “will strengthen GMM Music’s spin-off plan” and allow it “to expand its business, achieve sustainable growth, acquire world-class expertise, and invest in future music innovations to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the global music industry.” In a statement, GMM Music CEO Phawit Chitrakorn said the deal will help the company “drive the New Music Economy in Thailand towards sustainable growth” while allowing it to expand its business in additional markets, including China.

Neon Gold Records, the independent label known for launching the careers of artists including Tove Lo, Charli XCX and MARINA, signed a global distribution agreement with Virgin Music Group. Recent releases from Neon Gold include Good Neighbours’ debut single “Home” (now receiving global support from Capitol and Polydor) and Mt. Joy’s “Highway Queen”; other acts on the roster include The Knocks and Juliana Madrid. The label also revealed its newest signing: alt-pop band Phantogram, whose new single, “All a Mystery,” was released May 31. Neon Gold previously had joint ventures with Columbia (2010-2013) and Atlantic (2014-2024).

Bandcamp partnered with EMPIRE in a deal that will allow the independent record label to expand retail opportunities for its artists, who include Shaboozey, Key Glock, Conway the Machine, Dinner Party, Olamide, Asake and Black Sherif. With the deal, EMPIRE artists will now have the ability to connect with Bandcamp’s community of more than 47 million fans, to whom they can directly sell digital releases, vinyl and exclusive merchandise through the Bandcamp platform.

L.A.-based record label D36, which centers on aspiring musicians from South Asia and its diaspora, formed a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment. Through the joint venture, acts of South Asian heritage will better be able to connect with audiences in both South Asia and international markets, including the United States. D36 is run by CEO Abhi Kanakadandila and GM/co-founder Abdullah Ahmad.

The U.K.-based Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) partnered with KUVO Powered by DJ Monitor to help foster the adoption of KUVO’s music identification technology in U.K. venues — all in hopes of ensuring proper royalty payouts for creators of the music DJs play. According to a press release, NTIA will work to make KUVO’s technology “standard practice across the U.K. club and DJ events industry…with a focus on building towards a more transparent and fair music royalty ecosystem within the UK.” There is no cost for venues to participate in the initiative and there will be no effect on the license fees venues pay for music. It also “respects DJ setlist privacy — no details of which DJ played which tracks are captured by the technology and no playlists are publicised,” the release adds.

Downtown Artist & Label Services officially partnered with AI-powered marketing operating system SymphonyOS to offer SymphonyOS marketing tools to Downtown artists at a reduced price. The deal was struck after Downtown ran multiple successful SymphonyOS-driven campaigns with artists including Hunter Hayes, mehro and Ryan Nealon. SymphonyOS offers AI-powered campaign creation, aggregated analytics, a website builder tool and features including Forever Saves, which allows fans to “subscribe” to an artist’s future releases.

1336 Records, a new label venture from System of a Down’s Shavo Odadjian, launched in partnership with Sumerian Music Group. The first release under the deal is “Paradise,” the debut single from Seven Hours After Violet — Odadjian’s new band also featuring Taylor Barber (Left To Suffer), Morgoth (Winds of Plague), Alejandro Aranda (Scarypoolparty) and Josh Johnson.

SURF Music — a platform that allows songwriters, producers and other creators to connect, collaborate, package, pitch and sell their original unreleased music to Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese labels and A&R professionals — has welcomed Universal Music Japan, Sony Japan, Avex and Fujipacific to the platform as official users. By joining SURF Music, the labels will have the ability to explore SURF’s marketplace of unreleased demos using AI-supported search tools.

VNYLab, a new music platform designed to bring independent artists closer to their fans, acquired Patron Empowerment, the developer of the similar Rhythmic Rebellion platform. The multi-million-dollar deal will accelerate the growth of VNYLab, which is set to officially debut this summer. VNYLab was founded by Jon Zeit, Wes Mason and Nikki Fernandez. Patron Empowerment founder/CEO Greg Allen has joined VNYLab as a partner.

Ford signed a 10-year naming rights agreement with Notes Live for a new music amphitheater coming to Colorado Springs, Colo. The 8,000-capacity venue, formerly known as The Sunset and now called Ford Amphitheater, is set to open on Aug. 9 with a performance by Ryan Tedder and his band OneRepublic.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Even with a price increase, Philo remains one of the most affordable ways to stream channels live and on-demand. On Wednesday (June 12), Philo raised its prices to $28/month for new and returning subscribers.

If you’re already subscribed to Philo, the $3 price hike doesn’t apply; current Philo subscribers can stay at the previous $25 monthly rate.

Keep reading for additional details on Philo packages, bundles, channels and how to join.

Philo Channel Lineup & More

How many channels can you stream on Philo? Right now, Philo offers 80+ channels that you can stream free of charge. No credit card required — simply sign up to test it out.

Philo Free Channels includes DVR recording that you can store for up to 30 days at a time. Upgrade to Philo Core to stream an additional 70+ channels such as A&E, MTV, Lifetime, OWN, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., HGTV, TLC, BET, FYI, WE tv, Logo and Discovery Channel for $28/month and DVR recordings can be stored for up to a year. With Philo Core, you can add Premium content from Starz, MGM+, AMC+ and more.

Philo Bundles & Deals

If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead or Interview With the Vampire, AMC+ is now available on Philo. Subscribers can stream the channel as an add-on, or upgrade to the ad-free plan for an additional $4 per month.

The AMC+ add-on includes access to Shudder, IFC Films Unlimited and Sundance Now.

“We are thrilled to welcome Philo subscribers to AMC+, the streaming home of so many great shows, including The Walking Dead universe, Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, Dark Winds, Mad Men, Gangs of London, and so many more,” Courtney Thomasma, AMC Network’s EVP of Streaming said via the Philo blog. “This summer we will bring viewers a new series from the world of Orphan Black, the highly anticipated final season of Snowpiercer, the exciting new supernatural drama Domino Day: Lone Witch from Sundance Now, top-rated horror films from Shudder, including Arcadian starring Nicolas Cage and the viral box-office hit In A Violent Nature, and the acclaimed independent film library from IFC Films Unlimited, all bundled into the core AMC+ offering.” 

How to Watch & Join Philo

You can stream Philo on the app or online at Philo.com. The app is compatible with Android TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, Samsung TV, Fire TV, Roku and iOS and Android devices such as iPhone, iPad and other smart phones and tablets.

Click below to launch your free trial to Philo.  

Mario Bautista has unleashed his new studio album Fénix — one that he began working on almost two years ago and added its final touches just hours before its release on Thursday (June 13). 

Home to 14 tracks, the set showcases Bautista’s evolution from boy-next-door pop star to a mature young adult who’s embracing life to the fullest. It also marks his new Música Mexicana era.

“I created this album thanks to the success I had with ‘Brindo’ because it was like the light at the end of the tunnel,” he tells Billboard during an Instagram Live interview. “It was something very revealing to be able to transmit a message through regional [Mexican] music. I fell in love with that because I didn’t think it was possible. Up to that moment, I had only created music to party and have fun. When ‘Brindo’ was born, it felt like I was planting something positive in the listeners’ heads, and that’s my purpose in life.” 

“Brindo”—a feel-good mariachi with positive lyrics about been grateful for everyone and everything around you—was released in the fall of 2021 but it was its Banda El Recodo de Cruz de Lizárrga-assisted remix that earned Bautista his first No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay Chart in 2022. 

“That’s how Fénix was born — it’s fully Regional Mexican, and it carries messages that I feel are very important for humanity to listen to,” he adds. 

In addition to empowered tunes, such as “Cábron Yo Puedo” and “Mejor Así,” in collaboration with Adriel Favela, Bautista dedicates heartfelt tunes to his loved ones (“Flores” and “Pa’l Viejo”) and even tracks for independent women (“15 de Septiembre” and “Mujer Maravilla”). 

But Fénix goes far beyond just optimistic lyrics and a tribute to his Mexican roots. It represents an awakening. 

“Eleven years have gone by in my career and it’s been a wild ride,” he explains. “With ‘Baby Girl’ (the urban-pop song that put him on the map in 2018), I felt that it was my peak but at the same time, it was the time that I was most confused and lost with my personality. It took me years to return to Mario Alberto (his real name) and give him the wheel. Nowadays, that brings me joy and peace, and ‘Fénix’ represents this new stage, this rebirth.”

Listen to Fénix below.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2 hits theaters on Friday (June 14). Eight years after the first film grossed around $857 million worldwide, Disney fans can once again feel all the emotions with this highly anticipated sequel.

Inside Out 2 takes you back into the mind of Riley, who’s now a teenager. You’ll see all her original emotions — Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust — return to the screen. But things get wild when headquarters faces a surprise, bringing on new emotions, including Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui. 

Keep reading to learn more about ways you can watch Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2 in cinemas and stream online.

How to Watch Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2

The movie hits screens on June 14, and you can secure your tickets for Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2 at Cinemark. Easily snag tickets for any hit movie or Disney Pixar’s Inside Out 2 online; booking online speeds up the process. Don’t miss out — reserve your seats now at a Cinemark theater near you for an unforgettable experience.

You can also purchase tickets at Fever. Take advantage of the Fever benefit and enjoy a more than 30% discount on tickets for Inside Out 2 in Los Angeles. You can find instructions to purchase your ticket voucher for AMC here and for Regal here.

If you want to refresh your memory and catch up with the first film, you can watch Inside Out on Prime Video.

Not subscribed to Prime Video? You can join Amazon Prime under a free trial to watch Prime Video movies and more.

Prime Video offers a seemingly endless selection of exclusive TV series, movies and other must-watch programs, and you can add Prime Channels such as Paramount+, Max, Starz and Showtime, BET+ and AMC+.

You can also get Inside Out on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy. With the Blu-ray edition, you’ll be able to get the ultimate viewing experience at home with the first Disney Pixar Inside Out movie, then be ready to hit the theaters to catch Inside Out 2.

Inside Out (Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack + Digital Copy)

$25.40 $39.99 36% off

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When Can You Stream Inside Out 2 Online?

There is no specific date set for when Inside Out 2 will be available on streaming. According to Screen Rant, Inside Out 2 is projected to debut on Disney+ around September 2024, although this timeline may fluctuate depending on its box office performance.

It’s likely be on VOD (video-on-demand) before arriving on Disney+, typically around two months after its theatrical debut, according to Screen Rant.

However, you can stream the first Inside Out movie on Disney+ and prepare to plan ahead once you’re able to stream its sequel. Looking for a Disney+ deal? You have a few options, the easiest being a bundle plan, which saves you up to 37% off. Subscribe to the Disney+  Basic Duo plan with Hulu for $9.99/month, or the Trio plan with Hulu and ESPN+ for $14.99/month.

Disney+  offers a huge collection of exclusive TV series, movies, documentaries, concert specials and sports. Go get your subscription now and get ready watch all your favorite Disney Pixar movies in one sitting.

Downtown Music has named Molly Neuman president of its direct-to-creator division CD Baby. Neuman succeeds CD Baby’s previous president, Scott Williams, who will stay on as a consultant to Downtown and CD Baby.

In addition to Neuman’s appointment, it was announced that CD Baby COO Christine Barnum is leaving the company.

Neuman boards CD Baby from Downton Music’s parent company, Downtown Music Holdings, where she was chief marketing officer. She has nearly three decades of experience in various leadership roles, including her stint as president of Downtown Music subsidiary Songtrust. She also served as head of music at Kickstarter and interim president at the American Association of Independent Music. Neuman is a founding member of the influential band Bratmobile.

In her new role, Neuman will manage CD Baby and Soundrop, another direct-to-creator brand owned by Downtown.

“Molly’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Downtown Music,” said Pieter van Rijn, CEO of Downtown Music, in a statement. “After her highly successful stint leading Songtrust and subsequently leading Downtown’s marketing and communications team, Molly is the perfect fit to lead CD Baby in this new chapter. Her visionary leadership and deep understanding of the independent music landscape will elevate our direct-to-creator offerings and help us further our mission to support and empower artists at every stage of their careers. We are extremely grateful for Scott and Christine’s contributions to CD Baby during their respective tenures. They exemplify our commitment to independent music creators and to providing the highest standards of services to our partners across the rights spectrum and at every step of the creative journey.”

Added Neuman, “I am thrilled to embark on this next chapter of growth at CD Baby and Downtown. I am passionate about providing independent artists with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. I look forward to working with the talented teams at CD Baby and Soundrop to drive innovation and growth and to continue building a vibrant ecosystem for creators around the world. I am extremely grateful to Justin Kalifowitz, Andrew Bergman and Pieter van Rijn for their support and this tremendous opportunity.”