Media Mentions

Delhi High Court orders ISPs in India to block access to 20 stream ripping sites.
Delhi High Court has ordered ISPs in India to block access to 20 stream ripping sites, following legal action taken by local recorded music industry organisation IMI and international labels' body IFPI, acting on behalf of Sony Music India, Universal Music India and Warner Music India.
https://creativeindustriesnews.com/2023/01/delhi-high-court-orders-isps-in-india-to-block-access-to-20-stream-ripping-sites/

With ‘Voodoo,’ UMG Tests New Recipe For a Global Crossover – Billboard
Indian rapper Badshah's collaboration with J Balvin reflects the challenges of
the label's goal to break an artist from the country of 1.3 billion.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/k-pop-band-bts-turns-9-why-i-pop-is-still-far-behind-7969764/

K-Pop band BTS turns 9: Why I-Pop is still far behind
Streaming services ensure that music becomes popular across nations and languages. But antiquated copyright laws deter investment in talent in India.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/k-pop-band-bts-turns-9-why-i-pop-is-still-far-behind-7969764/

Universal Music CEO extends job offer to youth who landed outside his office in pursuit of a dream career in music
Good things come to those who persevere! A few days after a post about a young boy’s long-winding journey to pursue a career in music went viral, he has finally managed to get an offer from Universal Music.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/universal-music-ceo-extends-job-offer-to-youth-who-landed-outside-his-office-in-pursuit-of-a-dream-career-in-music/articleshow/91944712.cms

No Netflix-like slowdown in content consumption in India: Saregama MD Vikram Mehra
While Netflix reported a dip in its subscriber base for the first time in a decade and YouTube’s ad revenue growth disappointed Wall Street analysts, music label Saregama’s Managing Director Vikram Mehra says there’s no such stress on the streaming business in India.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/expert-view/no-netflix-like-slowdown-in-content-consumption-in-india-saregama-md-vikram-mehra/articleshow/91532410.cms

Saregama to widen content slate in regional languages
The country’s oldest music label Saregama India Ltd is sharpening its focus on regional music and films, with the smartphone boom and cheap data plans in smaller towns boosting media consumption far beyond Bollywood.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/saregama-to-widen-content-slate-in-regional-languages-11652213190047.html

Labels, artistes tap growing demand for non-film music
Music labels and artistes have set their sights on more non-film songs to reach out to their audiences. The non-film genre has more than doubled in music label catalogues—from 5-10% to 30% in the last three years.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/labels-artistes-tap-into-growing-demand-for-non-film-music-11650428801812.html

Bettering The Indian GI Economy
It can be a platform for India to showcase to the world a model for ethical capitalism, social entrepreneurship, de-urbanisation, and bringing women to the workforce, on the back of a robust digital system
https://www.businessworld.in/article/Bettering-The-Indian-GI-Economy/29-03-2022-423953/

Indian VFX Industry: Ground To Be Gained
Fernandes explains how the Indian VFX industry has placed itself as low-hanging fruit, along with the opportunities that lie in this space and his suggestions for the industry's overall betterment
https://www.businessworld.in/article/Indian-VFX-Industry-Ground-To-Be-Gained/17-03-2022-423077/

Music Piracy In India Stands At 68%, Double The Global Average: Indian Music Industry Report
Findings show that streaming services are where a majority of Indian users satisfy their musical needs.
https://www.medianama.com/2022/03/223-imi-report-reveals-music-piracy-india-68-double-global-average-30

IMI outlines Covid-19’s streaming silver lining in India
Indian music industry body IMI has published its latest report, which includes data on how music has been “a savior in Covid-19 times”. Among its findings: Indians are now averaging 21.9 hours a week of music consumption, with an increase of three hours per week for 25-64 year-olds on average since 2019.
https://musically.com/2022/03/07/imi-outlines-covid-19-streaming-india/

IMI’s Blaise Fernandes: ‘Misuse of Safe Harbour Provisions erodes value for all stakeholders’
Every country in the world has an organisation like the Indian Music Industry (IMI). For instance, in the US, there is the RIAA
https://www.musicplus.in/imis-blaise-fernandes-misuse-of-safe-harbour-provisions-erodes-value-for-all-stakeholders/

EXCLUSIVE | Dema Therese Maria: One year of IMI International Charts in India
It will be a year now that the IMI International Charts has been tested out in India — it’s the only Industry chart in the country, and we caught up with Dema Therese Maria, Lead – Charts & Certification, Associate – Economic Research & Anti-Piracy Operations, IMI (The Indian Music Industry) on it.
https://mediabrief.com/exclusive-dema-therese-maria-imi/

CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ Rules The Charts In India
Mumbai, October, 29^th October,: ‘Love Nwantiti’ from Nigerian singer-songwriter and music producer CKay has set chart records by being the Number One song in India for more than four consecutive weeks, and it is still performing strongly.
https://www.adgully.com/ckay-s-love-nwantiti-rules-the-charts-in-india-110595.html 

What defines success in music today?
As the streaming ecosystem creates a kaleidoscopic world, what really is success in the music business. Once upon a time, in the ’80s, in a little village called Albrighton near Wolverhampton in the UK, lived three musically inclined young men.They formed their own band – China Boy Hi. In 1988 Simon Dyson (20, bass guitarist), Ben Christopher (18, singer, keyboard player, guitarist), and David Fletcher (20, drummer) moved to London in search of a record company that would make an album with them.That did not happen. In 1992, the trio found an investor and set up their own label, Red Door Records. But, “It never got to a point where we could do it full-time,” says Dyson, now practice leader, music, for the UK-based Omdia.
To read the entire article click here: https://www.musicplus.in/what-defines-success-in-music-today/

IMI Launches Top 20 International Singles Charts India
The Indian Music Industry (IMI), the organisation that represents the recorded music industry in India, today released its first-ever International Top 20 Singles Chart India.The charts which are formulated using streaming figures of international singles are compiled by global music technology leaders BMAT will be updated weekly on Mondays by sundown. Every week from Friday to Thursday BMAT aggregates and consolidates the data from three leading international DSPs (Digital Service Providers) in the country – Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The Top 20 chart is reviewed by the IMI Charts committee comprised of experts from record labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Times Music, and Warner Music Group. The aim of the IMI International Top 20 Singles Chart is to make it easy for music enthusiasts to discover fresh and exciting music.“Launching an official chart based on actual streaming data is an important step towards bringing the Indian music market in line with the rest of the world. Indian music fans are some of the most engaged listeners in the world, known for embracing music from all genres, languages and countries.  With the testing phase successfully behind us, we are grateful to our global partners BMAT for helping to make this happen and while we start out with an international chart, we look forward to seeing mixed national charts", shared Devraj Sanyal, Managing Director & CEO, Universal Music Group, India & South Asia.Rajat Kakar, Managing Director India, Sony Music Entertainment , said,  “Sony Music India is delighted at the launch of the first ever official Indian Music Industry charts. This is a landmark moment as music listeners can now get unbiased International Music Charts which are based on actual consumption data across leading streaming service providers. This will pave the way for growth of global music amongst Indian fans with significantly higher engagement and also put India firmly on the Global Music map!.”“The IMI charts are the first ever formal launch by the Indian Music Industry to provide a concise, factual and real time chart system for its stakeholders to refer to. The mechanism to arrive at the charts is industry grade and is collated from data analysed across all verticals and as such will be the definitive charts for Indian consumers and global stakeholders. Times Music is proud to be part of this initiative, “ shared, Mandar Thakur, COO, Times MusicJay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music Group   added, “Warner Music Group India is excited to be involved with this project. Exponential growth of smart phones coupled with a plethora of streaming services has taken international recorded music to the remotest part of India. International music today is no longer a metro or city centric genre its pan India, and the IMI International Charts will be a true representation of what India listens to. “Blaise Fernandes, CEO & President, IMI said,  “I am delighted to launch the International Charts - an inaugural consumer-centric foray by IMI, which is largely a recorded music trade body. The charts represent what consumers in India are listening to. Globally charts are an effective search and discovery tool, I expect the same to happen in India. Given our country’s socio-eco-cultural diversity, the charts roll out will be in phases. Phase two will see the launch of regional charts in two Indian regional languages. Once we get the operations and formulae right, we plan to launch the IMI NATIONAL CHARTS - our endeavour to highlight the music consumers in India enjoy - on a weekly basis.” –“IMI is proud to present the first phase of our IMI India charts roll out, we have outsourced the entire process to BMAT, a recognised global brand in the music ecosystem, associated with music charts in over 22 countries. The DSP’s or streaming platforms share consumer data with BMAT. The data is then processed, as per international norms, giving the charts 100% transparency and accuracy” said, Dema Therese Maria, Lead Charts & Certifications, IMI .“The introduction of the IMI International Top 20 Singles Chart is a great milestone for music in India and is an important step in the development of further charts to capture the full extent of India’s unique music culture and the vibrant and growing music industry in the market”, shared, Lewis Morrison, Head of Global Charts and Certifications, IFPI"As the official charts compilers for 22 countries alongside IFPI, we’re excited to be partnering with IMI to do India's charts. It’s a pleasure to be using our technical expertise to keep India up to date on their huge streaming market as well as help them make their culture more accessible to international consumers”, said  Enric Calabuig, VP Charts, BMAT.The members of IMI Charts Committee include--Rajat Kakar, Managing Director India, Sony Music Entertainment Arjun Sankalia, Sr. Director, Sony Music Entertainment Mandar Thakur, COO, Times Music Vinit Thakkar, Chief Operating Officer, Universal Music India Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music Group Blaise Fernandes, CEO & President, IMI Dema Therese Maria, Lead Charts & Certifications, IMI.

IMI Launches Top 20 International Singles Charts India
The Indian Music Industry (IMI), the organisation that represents the recorded music industry in India, today released its first-ever International Top 20 Singles Chart India.
Read more about it over here.

BTS’ Butter creates yet another record; becomes the first song to top India’s International Music Charts
Just when you think BTS can’t break anymore records, they just set a new one. The boys RM, Suga, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, V and J-Hope have created yet another record with their latest single Butter.
Read more about it over here.

BTS’ record-breaking single ‘Butter’ soars atop on India’s first official international singles chart
The Indian Music Industry (“IMI”), the organisation that represents the recorded music industry in India, today released its first-ever International Top 20 Singles Chart India.
Read more about it over here.

The inaugural top 20 is crowned by BTS’ "Butter" and Dua Lipa’s "Levitating."
MUMBAI — Nearly three years after its scheduled launch date, India finally has an official music chart.
Trade body the Indian Music Industry (IMI), which represents over 200 record labels operating in the country, unveiled the Top 20 International Singles Chart on Monday.
Read more about it over here.

The Indian Music Industry (“IMI”), the organization that represents the recorded music industry in India, has released its first-ever International Top 20 Singles Chart.
The charts which are formulated using streaming figures of international singles are compiled by global music technology leaders BMAT will be updated weekly on Mondays by sundown. Every week from Friday to Thursday BMAT aggregates and consolidates the data from three leading international DSPs (Digital Service Providers) in the country – Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Read more about it over here.

Indian music body IMI launches an international singles chart
The Indian music industry is kicking off a process of launching charts tracking the most popular music in the country, starting with an International Top 20 Singles Chart India which launched this week
Read more about it over here.

Indian Music Industry (IMI) Launches Its International Top 20 Singles Chart With BTS Taking The #1 Place
The official Indian Music Industry (IMI), which is responsible for keeping a record of the music industry in India has launched a new global chart, International Top 20 Singles Chart to take into account international music that has its own dedicated listeners in India
Read more about it over here.

Music Business Worldwide
SESAC currently licenses the public performances of more than 1 million songs on behalf of its 30,000 affiliated songwriters, composers and music publishers, which include such familiar names as Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond,
Read more about it over here.

Indian Music Industry debuts first-ever International Top 20 Singles Chart
Mumbai: The Indian Music Industry (IMI) in affiliation with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) introduced its first ever international music chart on June
Read more about it over here.

Indian Music Industry (IMI) unveils International Top 20 Singles Chart India
The Top 20 chart is reviewed by the IMI Charts committee that includes experts from record labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Times Music & Warner Music Grou.
Read more about it over here.

Devraj Sanyal makes it to the coveted ‘Billboard International Power Players’ list
The Indian music industry has been for long trying to get itself noticed on the global music stage. It has also deliberately tried to shed its film music dependent image and has boldly ventured into what was once a ‘no go zone’ i.e. the independent/non-film music space.
Read more about it over here.

Exclusive: In conversation with Mr. Blaise Fernandes- President & CEO, Indian Music Industry (IMI): Part 2
I am pleased to bring to you the second edition of our guest interview with Mr. Blaise Fernandes, President & CEO of Indian Music Industry (IMI).
Read more about it over here.

After Gangnam Style, Kolavari Di and Despacito, Haryanvi song 52 Gaj Ka Daman breaks through
In the current music scenario, with barely any music sales globally, what makes headlines is a song or video going viral on the net. Today its every artist’s dream to have their song or video go viral with a zillion views or streamed a zillion times.
Read more about it over here.

Indian music industry report takes aim at safe harbours
Complaints about the music industry suffering from a ‘value gap’ are far from just a western affair. Indian music industry body IMI has published a report exploring why the film industry in India has grown so much bigger than the music business, despite their close links.
Read more about it over here.

IMI’s Blaise Fernandes makes strong case for free market economics for Recorded Music Industry
One of the finest experts in industry and business of Music in India, Blaise Fernandes, President and CEO, Indian music industry (IMI), has written an indepth paper that makes a strong case for free market economics to unleash the full potential of India’s recorded music industry, which for no logical reason has a different licensing regime from that of the film industry, even though both are symbiotic.
Read more about it over here.

India's recorded music industry can rival Europe's in 10 years: IMI study
The report says that with the right policy push, the industry has the potential to be on par with the size of the European music market in a decade
Read more about it over here.

How digitization saved India’s music industry from covid-19
In a year when a global pandemic brought music performances to a stand-still and sales of music records collapsed
Read more about it over here

New horizons and new hopes for the Recorded Music Industry
IMI president speaks about the need for royalties from Radio and Key Issues.
Read more about it over here.

Raja Kumari: 'City Slums' introduced me to India
Indian-American rapper-songwriter Raja Kumari’s debut single in India 'City slums', featuring hip-hop star DIVINE, has now been certified three times platinum by IMI (Indian Music Industry). She stated that her single, 'City Slums', is very close to her heart as it introduced her to the realities of India.
Read more about it over here.

India's live music industry stares at losses, as tours cancel, venues shut indefinitely over coronavirus outbreak
Event organisers and artist promoters all over the world have been calling off all plans due to the pandemic, as the novel coronavirus continues to spread. In India too, the Indian Music Industry (IMI) issued a statement in the month of April, which said that “daily wage musicians will face a hard time
Read more about it over here.

Bytedance’s Resso launches in India but can it drive subscriptions?
IMI estimates that there are now 200 million people streaming music in India, but as a report by IMI and Deloitte last year made clear, the percentage paying for music is in the VERY low single digits.
Read more about it over here.

India growth continues with 200m people now streaming music
According to Blaise Fernandes, the head of record trade body Indian Music Industry (IMI),   there are now 200 million unique users of music streaming apps in India.
Read more about it over here.

What bites music business in India? Time and revenue mismatch, says study
Streaming now brings in 70 per cent of the Rs 1,068 crore the industry made in early 2019. The remainder came from physical sales, performance rights, and other revenues, according to the latest Digital Music Study 2019 from the Indian Music Industry (IMI), which represents the Indian recorded music industry and is affiliated to the International Federation of Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
Read more about it over here.

Music industry affects lives as it generates revenue and contribute to GDP, says Vikram Mehra of SaReGaMa
IMI-Deloitte report advocates music-centric grants and export schemes to develop a better market in India. Key players of the music industry in India shared their thoughts about the current situation of the industry and how it can be expanded in the future.
Read more about it over here.

Key issues raised at Indian Music Industry Convention 2019: compulsory licensing, fair value, safe harbor
“The biggest raw material for the radio industry is music, and they pay the music industry Rs 60 crores. We don’t get paid more than 2% of the topline,” said Vikram Mehra, chairman of the Indian Music Industry (IMI) and Saregama MD, at IMI’s 2019 Convention in New Delhi
Read more about it over here.

Music Industry's Contribution to Indian Economy at Rs 8660 Cr: Indian Music Industry and Deloitte Report
Indian Music Industry (IMI), the apex trade body representing the recorded music companies on a pan-India basis, along with Deloitte today jointly launched 'Economic impact of the recorded music industry in India' report at Dialogue: The Indian Music Convention 2019
Read more about it over here.

Majority of revenues in music streaming in India still from ads: Spotify
Deloitte and the Indian Music Industry (IMI) announced a report on September 03, 2019, titled Economic Impact of the Recorded Music Industry. According to the report, the music streaming industry in India currently generates revenues of ₹270 crore, while the overall music industry in India is valued at ₹1068 crore.
Read more about it over here.

Indian music industry debates potential for paid music subs
A study jointly conducted by the IFPI and IMI have found that Indians spend 21.5 hours per week on music consumption across all platforms. The challenge though will be getting people to pay for that consumption, something that Blaise Fernandes believes will eventually happen, based on observations of the movie business
Read more about it over here.