Have you noticed that your TikTok FYP has gotten quieter? Universal Music Group — home to artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, BTS, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Karol G, and many more — announced it had failed to reach a new licensing agreement with TikTok, which will result in the removal of the company's entire catalog from videos used in the app. UMG's existing licensing contract with TikTok officially expired on January 31, 2024.
” In the open letter, UMG claims it proposed TikTok solutions for all issues outlined above, but they were met with 'indifference' and 'intimidation.' 'As our negotiations continued, TikTok attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal, far less than fair market value and not reflective of their exponential growth.