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John Kell

John Kell is a freelance journalist. He's the writer of Fortune's

Revenue from licensing music for digital streaming has meant big revenue bumps for agencies like BMI and Ascap. Perhaps it’s time for the “B” in BMI to stand for “billion”—as in $1 billion in annual revenue. The music agency, whose full name is Broadcast Music Inc., announced Thursday that it set an industry record by raking in $1.013 billion over the year ending June 30. That’s BMI’s highest yearly revenue ever, and it squeaks by the $1.001 billion reported earlier this year by ASCAP, BMI’s main rival for handling music licensing and artists’ songs for play on radio, television, streaming media, and other platforms. BMI and ASCAP — the latter of which said it was the first performing rights organization to top $1 billion — have increased their revenue in recent years even as the music industry on the whole remains in flux due to evolving distribution models. The increase comes amid higher consumption of digital music, which requires streaming services like Pandora P 0.38% , Spotify, YouTube GOOG 1.15% , and Apple Music AAPL 2.09% to pay BMI and ASCAP royalties to stream songs by their songwriter members. Together, ASCAP and BMI represent a reported 90% of songs released commercially in the U.S. BMI's roster of artists includes Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Lil Wayne.
MPW
How much money will Taylor Swift make from sales of Ryan Adams’ album?
By John KellSeptember 21, 2015
Mayonnaise, More Popular Condiment Than Ketchup In US
Retail
Why Belgian chefs are angry about plans to tweak a mayonnaise law
By John KellSeptember 21, 2015
GoPro creator Nick Woodman
Tech
Why camera maker GoPro’s shares could plunge
By John KellSeptember 21, 2015
St-Germain using bikes for on-demand delivery service in NYC
Retail
St-Germain using bikes for on-demand delivery service in NYC
By John KellSeptember 21, 2015
CEO Daily: Monday, September 21
Leadership
CEO Daily: Monday, September 21
By John Kell and Alan MurraySeptember 21, 2015
For the first time, NYC Toy Fair will let kids in on the fun
Features
For the first time, NYC Toy Fair will let kids in on the fun
By John KellSeptember 18, 2015
CEO Daily: Friday, September 18
Leadership
CEO Daily: Friday, September 18
By John Kell and Alan MurraySeptember 18, 2015
CEO Daily: Thursday, September 17
Leadership
CEO Daily: Thursday, September 17
By John Kell and Tory NewmyerSeptember 17, 2015
Don’t expect AB InBev-SABMiller to become a mega-brewer in the U.S.
Retail
Don’t expect AB InBev-SABMiller to become a mega-brewer in the U.S.
By John KellSeptember 16, 2015
CEO Daily: Wednesday, September 16
Leadership
CEO Daily: Wednesday, September 16
By John Kell and Alan MurraySeptember 16, 2015
Toys R us
Retail
Toys ‘R’ Us is hiring fewer holiday workers this year
By John KellSeptember 15, 2015
Pittsburgh Penguins v Colorado Avalanche
Retail
Reebok passes the NHL puck to Adidas
By John KellSeptember 15, 2015
CEO Daily: Tuesday, September 15
Leadership
CEO Daily: Tuesday, September 15
By John Kell and Alan MurraySeptember 15, 2015
Alibaba To Kick Off IPO In U.S.
Tech
Alibaba bashes story that’s hurting the e-commerce giant’s stock
By John KellSeptember 14, 2015
© Clay Williams / http://claywilliamsphoto.com
Retail
This is New York’s top street food vendor
By John KellSeptember 14, 2015
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