Universal Music Isn’t Fully Banning Streaming Exclusives, But It’s Still Scared Of Being Left Behind

Yesterday reports surfaced about Universal Music Group possibly banning streaming exclusives entirely, but a new report by BuzzFeed’s Reggie Ugwu has revealed a more nuanced approach. An anonymous source close to the label confirmed Universal Music Group’s stance against giving extended exclusives to individual streaming platforms, but also cautioned that it doesn’t amount to a “blanket ban” against such agreements entirely. Indeed, Universal Music Group may be forced to make some difficult decisions in the future, should artists who are not entirely under its purview — such as Taylor Swift, who’s signed to independent partner Big Machine Records, and Cash Money’s Drake — continue to make agreements with the likes of Apple Music and cut UMG out almost entirely.