Welcome to our Weekly Headline Roundup!
This week we’re looking at the launch of Billboard in India, latest UMG revenue, Spotify’s subscriber base numbers, and more.
Billboard Launches in India in Partnership with Other Side Ventures, Backed by Priyanka Khimani
On Monday (Nov. 3), Billboard announced the launch of Billboard India to serve one of the world’s most rapidly growing music markets and showcase its talent to the world.
– Billboard
In partnership with Other Side Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Billboard India will debut a host of offerings, including Billboard’s iconic charts, lists, music awards, multimedia editorial content, interviews and bios, merchandise and exclusive events, spotlighting the lingual and cultural diversity of India’s increasingly influential music industry for a global audience. Offerings will go live in early 2026.
Universal Music Group Generated $3.53BN in Q3, Up 10.2% YOY
Universal Music Group generated revenues of €3.021 billion ($3.53bn) across all of its divisions (including recorded music, publishing, and more) in Q3.
– Murray Stassen, Music Business Worldwide
That’s according to UMG’s fresh set of quarterly results, published today (October 30).
They reveal that UMG’s overall Q3 revenue figure was up 10.2% YoY at constant currency, driven, according to UMG, by growth in all segments.
Adjusted EBITDA weighed in at €664 million ($775m) – a margin of 22%.
The future of trust in media: Why transparency is key
What is the future of trust in media? It feels like a multi-million-pound question. A recent webinar by The Media Leader explored the topic, which then prompted me to crystallise some of my own thoughts on the subject.
– Laura Fisher, MIDIA
In an era of algorithmic curation and borderline propagandic content, the foundational contract between a media producer and an audience is being renegotiated. The central question in no longer simply about reporting something quickly and accurately, but about forging a relationship trustworthy enough that those facts are even accepted.
Spotify Subscriber Base Grew by 5M to 281M in Q3; Company Posted $680M Operating Profit for the Quarter
Spotify saw its global Premium Subscriber base grow to 281 million paying users in Q3. The company also achieved strong operating profitability in the three months to end of September.
– Murray Stassen, Music Business Worldwide
That’s according to the company’s latest financial results (for Q3 2025), filed this morning (November 4).
Spotify’s Premium Subscriber base at the close of Q3 was up by +5 million net subs on the 276 million that the firm counted at the end of the prior quarter (Q2 2025).
This +5 million growth was in line with the company’s guidance.