What does it really take to cover, analyze and predict the biggest moves in the music industry at Billboard? Dan Rys, executive editor of business, Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, senior finance correspondent, and Bill Donahue, senior legal correspondent, sit down with Kristin Robinson on Billboard On The Record to give listeners a peek inside the newsroom that tracks the stories shaping music today. They share their biggest coverage moments of 2025, from Taylor Swift reclaiming her catalog and Shaboozy tying the Hot 100 record to Diddy’s legal battles and leadership changes at Island Records. The team also weighs in on what’s next for the industry in 2026, including AI’s role in songwriting, major catalog sales, evolving marketing strategies and predictions for lawsuits, acquisitions and chart-topping hits. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how Billboard decides what matters, what’s trending and how the team interprets the moves that will define music in 2026.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. 

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What does it really take to write a Christmas song that lasts forever? Singer, songwriter and producer Charlie Puth sits down with Kristin Robinson on Billboard On The Record to unpack the magic behind holiday hits, from the one chord that seems to appear in nearly every classic to the ’60s influences that continue to shape today’s festive favorites. Puth shares how he once wrote a Christmas song in just an hour, why some tracks become seasonal standards almost by accident and how artists balance tradition with originality when creating holiday music. He also takes listeners inside piano sessions, highlights his favorite Christmas albums and songs, answers rapid-fire holiday questions and reflects on how the craft of songwriting has evolved, all while offering a sneak peek at what’s next for his own music.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. 

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Christmas music may only dominate a few weeks a year, but its impact on the music business lasts for decades. Guy Moot, CEO and Co-Chair of Warner Chappell Music, and Carianne Marshall, COO and Co-Chair, join host Kristin Robinson on Billboard On The Record to break down why holiday songs are some of the most valuable assets in any music catalog, why writing a timeless Christmas hit is so difficult and how industry traditions around holiday albums have shifted from mandatory releases to strategic singles. They discuss the evolution from cover culture to artist-driven branding, the role of songwriter camps, and why evergreen holiday songs often travel further than the places they were written. From December chart freezes to the renewed push for trusted brands and long-term fan connection, this conversation explores how Christmas music continues to shape careers, catalogs and the modern music economy.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. 

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The U.S. is the only major music market where artists don’t get paid when their songs play on FM/AM radio, but why? Michael Huppe, CEO of SoundExchange, breaks down the century-old laws that shaped American radio, and what SoundExchange is doing to push for artists to get paid on radio through efforts like the American Music Fairness Act. He joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack the history of radio from payola scandals, the creation of satellite and online radio, the rise of consolidation and the shift from tastemaker to follower status in the streaming era. With AI radio personalities and data-driven choices on the rise in 2025, the radio landscape will certainly keep evolving in the years to come.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

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The Grammys are music’s biggest night, but how are the votes really counted, and who decides which artists take home the trophies? Harvey Mason jr., Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, and CEO of the Recording Academy, pulls back the curtain on how the Academy works, from membership to voting processes and AI’s role in modern music. He joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack his journey from producing hits for Brandy, Destiny’s Child, Michael Jackson, and Toni Braxton to leading music’s most influential institution, all while getting his Grammys knowledge put to the test. Mason explains the challenges of ensuring fair representation across genres, and how the Academy is evolving to serve music and musicians in a rapidly changing industry. He also reflects on moving from creative work to executive leadership, the collaborative process that has defined his career and what it takes to keep the Grammys credible, inclusive, and impactful.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

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AI is reshaping the music industry, and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Imogen Heap breaks down what this moment really means for creators. She joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack how she’s blended technology with artistry for two decades, the rise of generative AI and why it’s becoming harder to tell where human creativity ends and machine production begins. Heap explains the urgent need for better metadata, identity layers and contributor search tools, and what it will take to set the right standards before AI becomes fully embedded in the music industry. She discusses the possibility of labels signing AI artists, the fears and misconceptions surrounding AI-generated work and why she believes art still matters if it resonates, no matter how it’s made. Heap also reflects on building her career independently, the flaws in traditional major label deals, and the innovations behind her Mi.Mu gloves as she envisions the future of human-driven music in an AI-powered era.

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Live music is booming, and CAA’s top touring execs explain exactly how today’s biggest shows come to life. Managing director, Rob Light, and co-head of global touring, Rick Roskin, join host Kristin Robinson to unpack the rise of live music’s modern era. They dive into the post-pandemic concert boom, how agents build tours from the ground up and what it takes for an artist to grow from a club act to a headliner. Light and Roskin discuss the balance between fair ticket pricing and fan demand and how agents fight to keep more money with the artists. They share how gut instinct still plays a role in spotting future stars, how massive shows like Harry Styles’ 15-night Madison Square Garden run come together and the evolving impact of festivals and social media on touring. Plus, they reveal the wildest artist requests, unforgettable live moments, and their take on concert etiquette in the age of the live music boom.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. 

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In this episode of Billboard On The Record, director Jon M. Chu and music editor Jack Dolman join host Kristin Robinson to talk about bringing the iconic musical 'Wicked' to the big screen. They dive into the process of adapting a beloved story, from working closely with composer Stephen Schwartz to deciding how to split the film into two parts. Chu and Dolman share behind-the-scenes insights on live performances by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, balancing music and acting and maintaining the integrity of every song. They discuss the challenges of transitioning from dialogue to song, collaborating with the cast and crew and making sure each moment feels timeless. Along the way, they reveal their favorite musical moments, their philosophy on storytelling through music and are faced with the ultimate question… pink or green?

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

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What does it take to land a song on a Billboard chart? Billboard’s managing director of charts & data operations, Keith Caulfield, joins host Kristin Robinson to unpack the evolution of the Billboard charts. From the origins of the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 to the modern formula of blending radio, sales and streams, Caulfield breaks down how his team evolves alongside the industry. Caulfield digs into why catalog albums keep finding new life, how Billboard determines an artists’ genre and how artists like Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Drake achieve so many No. 1s. From artists releasing multiple vinyl variants to the comeback of CDs and cassettes, Caulfield explains how today’s musicians are using every format, and every fan connection, to make chart history.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

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Is Spotify becoming more than just a place to stream songs? This week, Spotify's global head of marketing and policy, music business, Sam Duboff, joins host Kristin Robinson to talk about how the platform is evolving to serve both artists and fans in new ways. From developing A.I. tools with the music industry’s consent to removing spam from the platform, Duboff shares how Spotify is working to deepen real listener connections and turn viral hits into lasting fandom. He and Robinson dive into Spotify’s shift from a streaming service to the home of the entire music world, plus, what new features are coming next to help artists grow, connect and get paid.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

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