TikTok deadline extended
Well, it looks like TikTok’s deadline has received a little extension. The U.S. government has postponed the original date for ByteDance to divest its TikTok operations in America. Rather than rushing to meet a November 12 deadline, they now have until December 4 to figure things out.
This delay means the TikTok ban in the United States has been pushed back once more, providing artists and creators—like myself—additional time to keep the content flowing without the worry of being shut down mid-performance. Cheers to that!
The extension comes in response to TikTok’s legal challenge against the Trump administration’s executive order, and this new deadline gives the U.S. Treasury Department more time to evaluate the proposal that includes Oracle and Walmart. It’s a bit like waiting for the next wave to arrive—just need to stay patient and keep paddling.
For Australian musicians aiming to break into the U.S. market, this is welcome news. TikTok remains operational, which translates to more opportunities to get your tracks trending and potentially attract a few fans across the ocean. So keep those videos coming, because the wave isn’t crashing just yet.
Music revenue sees continued growth
It seems the wave is still climbing for the music industry—music revenue has seen a solid increase, and the latest reports confirm it. According to the RIAA, the U.S. music sector generated an impressive $5.7 billion in just the first half of 2020. That’s a 5% increase compared to last year, and given how challenging this year has been, that’s quite an accomplishment.
Streaming continues to dominate the scene, accounting for around 85% of all music revenue. This includes everything from Spotify and Apple Music to YouTube Music, and yes, even TikTok has a stake in the game. Paid subscriptions alone brought in over $4 billion—so if you were ever concerned about whether those monthly listener counts really translate into anything substantial, here’s your answer: they absolutely do.
Vinyl is still going strong as well. For the first time since the ’80s, vinyl sales have surpassed CD sales, raking in $232 million compared to CDs’ $129 million. It seems many of us still enjoy experiencing music the classic way—perhaps even cranking up the record player while sipping a flat white and debating which Midnight Oil album reigns supreme.
Live performances may have suffered a significant blow due to the pandemic, but the digital realm is where the action is today. For us Aussie artists, it’s all about getting those tunes out there, enhancing that online presence, and riding this peak wave. With the global audience more engaged than ever, there’s never been a better moment to push all-out on your releases and share your music across every conceivable platform.
So, while the world remains a bit topsy-turvy, music continues to prove it can withstand challenges and still ride those waves. Keep those beats coming and don’t hesitate to promote your latest track—it’s about more than just making it through the set; it’s about owning your moment on the stage.