The AirGigs Creator Report: Weekly Music Industry News & Opportunities – Week 11
Welcome to Week 11 of the AirGigs Creator Report – where each week, we bring you key updates from across the music industry, including platform changes, technology developments, royalty news, and trends that matter to independent musicians, producers, and creators.
Sony Music Generated Over $3 Billion in Music Revenue in Q1 2026
Sony Music generated an estimated $3.03 billion from recorded music and publishing during the first quarter of 2026, marking a 19.5% increase year-over-year. Streaming revenue remained a major driver, bringing in approximately $1.44 billion, while physical music sales also saw a strong jump of over 37%. One of the biggest areas of growth came from Sony’s “Other” revenue category, including merchandise, live events, sync licensing and performance income – which surged by 51% compared to the same period last year.
Bad Bunny led Sony’s top-performing projects globally, while artists including Harry Styles, BLACKPINK, SZA and Tate McRae also appeared among the company’s highest revenue-generating releases. Sony’s full fiscal year music revenue reached an estimated $11.71 billion, highlighting the continued strength of streaming, catalog music, live performance income and global artist development.
Why This Matters
Major label growth continues to signal that streaming, catalog value, touring and merchandising remain powerful revenue streams in today’s music industry. For independent artists, it’s another reminder that building multiple income sources, beyond just streams alone, is becoming increasingly important.
Warner Music Korea Promotes Jieun Kim to President
Warner Music Group has promoted Jieun Kim to President of Warner Music Korea as the company continues expanding its investment in the South Korean music market. Based in Seoul, Kim will oversee the company’s operations and long-term strategy, reporting directly to Warner Music APAC President Lofai.
Kim previously served as CFO of Warner Music Korea and has played a key role in strengthening partnerships and supporting the company’s local growth strategy over the past three years. The move comes during a period of increased activity for Warner in Korea, including a recent partnership with management company MAINSTREAM and the launch of its English-language label MPLIFY, designed to help Korean artists reach international audiences.
Warner says the promotion reflects its commitment to expanding Korean talent globally through cross-cultural collaborations, international marketing and stronger integration with Warner’s wider Asia-Pacific network. The South Korean recorded music market generated approximately $736 million in 2025, further highlighting the country’s growing importance in the global music business.
Why This Matters
Korean music continues to be one of the most influential forces in the global industry, and major labels are investing heavily in international expansion strategies around K-pop and Korean artists. For independent artists and producers, it’s another sign that global audiences are increasingly open to music that crosses language and cultural boundaries.
Tencent Music Removed Over 250,000 Songs Amid Growing AI and Copyright Concerns
Tencent Music Entertainment revealed that it removed more than 250,000 songs from its platforms in 2025 for violating copyright and content policies, while also reviewing over 600,000 “high-risk” copyright cases. The company said the removals targeted issues including song theft, plagiarism, misleading uploads and AI-generated content that violated platform rules.
Tencent Music, which operates major Chinese streaming platforms including QQ Music, says it has expanded its use of AI-powered detection tools such as audio fingerprinting, melody comparison and voice recognition to monitor uploads more effectively. The company also introduced stricter compliance systems for labels and distributors, including a “health rating” system that can lead to warnings, suspensions or terminated partnerships for repeat offenders.
The report also highlighted the growing scale of AI-generated music across the industry. Tencent Music says it now labels AI-generated content and only allows copyrighted material to be used for AI training when proper licensing agreements are in place. The company joins streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer in introducing new policies and detection systems to address the rapid rise of AI-generated music uploads.
Why This Matters
As AI-generated music becomes more common, streaming platforms are investing heavily in copyright protection, content verification and transparency tools. For independent artists and producers, this signals a growing push toward proving authenticity, protecting original work and maintaining trust with listeners in an increasingly AI-saturated music landscape.
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