This week was all about recalibration. Billboard’s shift in stream weighting triggered a split with YouTube, while Spotify found itself on the receiving end of government pressure. Meanwhile, new moves in catalog acquisitions and AI integrations suggest the end of the year will be anything but quiet.
#1. YouTube pulls data from Billboard over streaming metric changes
Billboard just updated its US chart methodology, giving more weight to ad-supported (free) streams. The new formula moves the ratio from 1:3 to 1:2.5, meaning 2,500 free streams now equal one album unit versus 3,750 before.
YouTube responded swiftly, announcing it will no longer supply data to Billboard starting January 16, citing the changes as insufficient and unfair to fans who don’t pay for subscriptions. It marks the end of a decade-long data partnership and puts pressure on other platforms to weigh in on chart equity.
#2. Spotify caught in geopolitical crossfire
According to Digital Music News, President Donald Trump’s administration-in-waiting is pressuring EU regulators to block Spotify from accessing US artist content unless it resolves perceived licensing imbalances.
The threat is part of a broader protectionist posture toward American IP and streaming royalties. While mostly symbolic for now, it signals how the global licensing environment could become even more politicized depending on the outcome of the 2026 US election.
#3. ChatGPT rolls out app integrations, Spotify included
OpenAI has expanded ChatGPT’s capabilities to include direct app integrations. Users can now ask ChatGPT to generate playlists, queue songs, or search artists using natural language.
This puts music discovery directly inside conversational interfaces, and could challenge how streaming services design recommendations and UI flows moving forward. It’s not just about prompts anymore; it’s about platform control.
#4. Beggars takes majority control of XL Recordings
Internal documents reviewed by MBW confirm that Beggars Group now owns a majority stake in XL Recordings, the influential UK label behind artists like Adele, The xx, and Radiohead.
While the companies have been closely linked for years, this formal acquisition cements Beggars’ control and could consolidate strategy across A&R, rights management, and catalog development. For indie labels, it's another reminder that even the most iconic imprints are navigating ownership shifts in the streaming era.
#5. The Weeknd finalizes catalog deal with Lyric Capital
The Weeknd has closed a catalog sale with Lyric Capital Group, covering hits from 2011 through 2020. The deal includes tracks like “Blinding Lights” and “The Hills,” although details on valuation remain private. This adds to the growing list of superstar catalog sales in 2025, continuing the trend of artists monetizing past works ahead of shifting tax and market conditions.
