Much of the music will be dropped on TikTok if a new licensing deal is not reached with Universal Music Group by tonight. Universal says it will remove its songs from TikTok once the existing contract expires.
diversity let it be known Universal Music Group blames TikTok having forced the company to enter into an agreement of lower value than the previous one. Artist compensation and artificial intelligence are also issues standing in the way of a new deal.
Without an agreement, UMG will withdraw its library from TikTokThis prevents users from using thousands of popular songs.
UMG announced that its contract with TikTok expires on January 31st. “The companies have not agreed to the terms of a new agreement and upon expiration of the current agreement, Universal Music Group, including Universal Music Publishing Group, will stop licensing content for the TikTok and TikTok Music services,” it said Announcement from the company.
Universal Music Group's label artists include Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Sting, The Weeknd, Alicia Keys, SZA, Steve Lacy, Drake, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Adele, U2 and Elton John, J Balvin, Brandi Carlile, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan and Post Malone.
TikTok relies heavily on its licensing deals with record labels as the social network relies on viral videos featuring wildly popular music.
TikTok had no comment to Variety, while Universal Music Group has filed a lawsuit against TikTok over what it sees as essentially a shake-up.
News
