Suno-BMG Deal, Tencent's $1.32B Q2, Kennedy Center Owes $252K - Aug 12

Email us hereSuno's licensing détente with BMG is the day's defining story, marking the second major rightsholder to formalize an AI training deal after WMG. Tencent Music's strong Q2 and a string of courtroom developments round out a busy Wednesday. Deals & M&A • Suno signs global licensing deal with BMG covering recorded and publishing rights, with opt-in AI training for artists. • Tencent Music posts $1.32B in Q2 2026 revenue, up 5.8% YoY, boosted by Ximalaya's $60M debut contribution. Lawsuits & AI • Kennedy Center ordered to pay jazz musician Chuck Redd $252,479 in legal fees after its breach-of-contract suit is dismissed. • Levon Helm Studios sues former president Amy Helm for $2M+ in alleged self-dealing and trademark infringement. • Word Collections and Songwriters Guild object to Phonorecords V settlement, warning it would cut mechanical rates to 12 cents. • D'Addario admits using Suno Studio for NYXL HD demo after repeated denials, apologizes and pledges AI-disclosure policies. Streaming & Tech • Spotify and Depop launch artist-curated secondhand fashion shops, backed by a two-day LA pop-up August 13–14. Live & Touring • John Oliver, vocal Ticketmaster critic, is selling his upcoming comedy tour tickets through Ticketmaster. International • Tencent Music drops user-count reporting entirely, shifting focus to revenue; music subscriptions hit $706M, up 8.1% YoY. • Ibiza officials weigh a ban on all new nightclub and venue openings to curb nightlife over-saturation. Also Today • BMG's Suno deal backdates payments to cover past training use, even without active litigation. • WMG's Robert Kyncl says artists will earn more per user from Suno than any other licensing partner. • Spotify says AI music accounts for well under 0.5% of total listening on its platform. • Luminate H1 2026: English-language music consumption hits a new low at 87.1%; 18% of U.S. musicians use AI tools. Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.