When Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged eight years ago it was openly feared that the combined companies would run roughshod over the industry and consumers alike. While there has been speculation about some of the shenanigans Ticketmaster has been up to since then, we now have conclusive proof that the ticketing juggernaut is manipulating the market and working with resellers in the secondary market in order to collect additional fees. They’ve even developed a software tool for just such a purpose.

The United States Senate, meanwhile, passed the Music Modernization Act. It creates a blanket mechanical license which allows for songwriters and artists receive royalties for streaming. It also fixes the problem of receiving royalties for works created before 1972 and includes producers in the new scheme. We’ll take a look a the new bill and explain what it all means.

Speaking of music, a new report indicates that industry revenue in North America is up slightly during the first half of 2018, just as Spotify makes it even easier for independent artists to post their music directly to the streaming service. Does that make Spotify a record label?

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including Kelly Clarkson gets a new daytime talk show, Comcast beats Disney in an auction for Sky in the United Kingdom and singer Sam Smith loses his voice just before going on stage.

comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of September 23, 2018

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-september-23-2018-300717301.html

A Chinese Star Goes Missing, and All of Hollywood Is Spooked

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinese-star-fan-bingbing-goes-missing-all-hollywood-is-spooked-1145521

President and CTO of Internet Data Analysis Company iResearch “Disappear” for Investigation

http://chinafilminsider.com/president-and-cto-of-internet-data-analysis-company-iresearch-disappear-for-investigation/

‘Veronica Mars’ Revival in the Works at Hulu, Kristen Bell Set to Return

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/veronica-mars-revival-works-at-hulu-1136515

Music Modernization Act Passed in Senate With Unanimous Support

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8475876/music-modernization-act-passes-senate-unanimous-support

Music Modernization Act Passes, Despite Music Industry Infighting

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/music-modernization-act-passes-despite-music-industry-726091/

RIAA Issues Bullish Mid-Year Report: Revenue Up 10%, Streaming Now 75% of Total

https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/riaa-issues-bullish-mid-year-report-revenue-up-10-streaming-now-75-of-total-1202950731/