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Echoing disagreements between YouTube and music rights holders, Alphabet-owned YouTube TV is currently in fraught negotiations with Disney over the amounts the pay TV streaming platform is willing to pay for the company’s TV channels, which were pulled from YouTube TV on Oct. 30 after the two sides failed to agree on the terms of a licensing renewal.
The fracas is part of a larger pattern, artist manager and businessman Irving Azoff wrote in a Nov. 5 op-ed at Billboard. Azoff, a longtime YouTube critic, called the company “a behemoth bully” that uses its vast market power to coerce content owners. “The playbook is always the same: if you refuse to accept YouTube’s below-market terms, YouTube threatens to go dark until you capitulate.”
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Similar disagreements have plagued the music industry’s relationship with YouTube over the decades. (YouTube TV is run separately from YouTube, which generates most of its income from advertising.) Most notably, Warner Music Group pulled its catalog off YouTube in 2008 after licensing negotiations broke down. Over the years, rights owners have frequently — and publicly — complained about YouTube’s relatively low royalty payouts and a business model that allows for user-generated content that often includes copyright-protected music.
The pay TV dispute pits one of the world’s largest tech companies against the owner of some of America’s most popular TV channels. Disney owns more than 20 TV channels that span sports (ESPN, ACC Network, SEC Network), entertainment (FX, Freeform, Localish), family (Disney Channel), National Geographic and ABC and its local affiliates. Disney CEO Bob Iger has called these broadcast TV brands an “asset” that operate alongside its growing streaming platforms, Disney+ and Hulu.
News reports say that Disney offered YouTube TV terms commensurate with its latest deals with the largest pay TV providers, Comcast and Charter, while YouTube insists it has “been working in good faith” on a deal “that pays them fairly” for their content. However, Disney has cited YouTube TV’s “repeated refusal to negotiate in good faith” and demand for preferential treatment.
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Disputes over carriage — the agreements in which a multi-channel video distributor includes a TV network’s channels — are not uncommon. YouTube also removed Televisa/Univision channels in October and narrowly averted a blackout with Fox in August. As for Disney, carriage disputes caused its channels to briefly go missing from DirecTV in 2024, Charter in 2023 and Dish in 2022.
But the Disney-YouTube battle isn’t a battle of equals — or close to it. A relative newcomer to the pay TV business, eight-year-old YouTube TV is the fourth-largest pay TV provider in the U.S. with nearly 10 million subscribers. But YouTube TV is a small fraction of parent company Alphabet’s total business. At $83 per month and 10 million subscribers, YouTube TV generated $7.4 billion in the first nine months of 2025 — just 2.6% of parent company Alphabet’s $289 billion of revenue in that period.
For Disney, the loss of carriage fees works out to approximately $2 billion annually, or 2% of Disney’s revenues, Lightshed Partners’ Rich Greenfield told CNBC on Monday (Nov. 3). That weighs more heavily on Disney, which generated $72 billion of revenue in the first nine months of its fiscal year (the company releases fiscal year results on Nov. 13), than YouTube TV. “When Charter loses ESPN, everybody goes, ‘How can Charter survive?’,” said Greenfield. “There’s not one investor going, ‘God, is Google going to survive this?’”
Failing to reach a resolution could drive consumers to find Disney programming elsewhere. Consumers can access Disney or any other TV content in numerous places. Desired sports content such as Monday Night Football is available through ESPN Unlimited for $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year. Bundling ESPN Unlimited with Hulu — wholly owned by Disney — and Disney+ offers sports and a wider variety of programming that costs $29.99 per month with ads or $38.99 per month without ads.
A new survey from Drive Research found that 24% of YouTube subscribers have already canceled or plan to cancel their YouTube TV subscription as a result of the dispute. Additionally, 30% of subscribers said they have subscribed or intend to subscribe to ESPN Unlimited or Hulu’s live sports plan to maintain access to sporting events. Clearly, the backlash to the Disney fracas is real — but a giant like YouTube TV can afford to shed subscribers in a way other carriers likely couldn’t.
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Tems‘ Leading Vibe Initiative and Native Instruments released a mini documentary on Thursday (Nov. 6) that follows three female producers in Lagos, Nigeria.
The 72 Hours in Lagos doc follows Saszy Afroshii, TinyBraz and Gbots around the “chaotic” city (as all three women, plus Tems, individually describe the hub) during the inaugural edition of the Leading Vibe Initiative, which “aims to support, connect and amplify the next generation of women in music,” according to the doc. Native Instruments contributes training, mentorship and industry-leading software and hardware. Tems is also on the Native Instruments artist board, a collective that also includes Alicia Keys, Noah “40” Shebib, Jacob Collier and Ludwig Goransson, among others.
Saszy Afroshii, who’s produced for Fave, Qing Madi and Tiwa Savage, says inspiration strikes anywhere in the midst of Lagos’ hustle and bustle, but opportunities aren’t always that easy to find. “I think it’s very important for females to support each other. This is an industry that is occupied by males and people think, ‘Ok, this is just a man’s world.’ When you walk into a session and they’re like, ‘So where’s the producer?’ And you’re like, ‘Hi! I’m here,’” she said. “It’s just trying to shift the mindset of people. Having to go the extra mile because sometimes they don’t give you as much opportunities. So it’s very, very good when you see a female doing something that people really thought, ‘Oh, maybe she can do it.’”
In her Billboard cover story earlier this year, Tems said she taught herself to produce and engineer her own music through YouTube tutorials while studying economics at IIE MSA in Johannesburg, South Africa. “Learning how to produce definitely made me solidify my sound because usually, you have a producer that gives you a beat and you have to go on the beat. But being a producer myself, it’s more authentic now. The music became more genuine and more true to me and more distinctive,” the Grammy-winning star said in the doc.
Tems launched the Leading Vibe Initiative this past August, which Billboard exclusively announced. She hosted a two-day seminar for approximately 20 women to gain hands-on training, access to world-class tools and connections to industry executives and creatives through a series of workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions. She also launched the Leading Vibe Initiative in Nairobi, Kenya in September.
Singer-songwriter TinyBraz (who’s also a DJ/producer known as Purple Halo) echoed Tems’ sentiments about authenticity, describing it as the core message behind the Leading Vibe Initiative. “That really cut deep to me because as an artist, you can tell I’m kind of androgynous. I’m in between being girly and being masculine. The label I was in really wanted me to be on that girly side. And to be honest, it wasn’t what I was feeling,” she explained. “I just wanted to find myself again because they were basically imposing their idea of what they think a female artist should be on me, and I didn’t want that. Hearing Tems say, ‘You have to double down on what you believe in’ made me realize that it was a good decision for me to say, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore with you guys. I want to go on my own. I want to be independent and find my way.’”
TinyBraz took the cameras from her current makeshift studio to her former apartment, which she called “Purple Island” “because it’s a creative space. It’s a space where I truly found the people that I was meant to align with,” such as dancers, graphic designers, engineers and artists, she explained.
Gbots, who’s worked with Olamide, CKay and P. Prime, described herself as “an outlier” because “I noticed I was one of the fewest female music producers. At that time, I even thought I was the only one making music.” In 2022, she founded the female music community, We Are ProducHERS. “Female music producers and artists and songwriters should just have a place and a safe space where they feel like because you can do it, I can do it,” she added.
Watch 72 Hours in Lagos below.
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6ix9ine claims to be the original content creator, suggesting that people dismiss his influence simply because they are haters.
During his appearance on Adin Ross’ Kick channel on Wednesday, the rainbow-haired rapper reflected on his rise to fame, stating that his breakout moments preceded the invention of TikTok. He argued that if the app had existed during his tumultuous ascent in 2018, he would have dominated the platform.
“In 2018, there was no TikTok,” he said at the 40-minute mark. “Let me get this point across, and maybe y’all say I’m reaching, but this is what I truly believe. … I walked, I went to jail, I entertained you guys with real-life crimes. I was out there putting my life on the line so you guys could run. When Vine was a thing, remember? Instagram. I was the original content creator. I know people don’t like me. It’s the right message, wrong messenger. But these is facts.”
The rapper recalled some of his most unforgettable viral stunts during his rise, including running up a hill with an AK-47. He mentioned prominent streamers like Ross, IShowSpeed and Kai Cenat, claiming they owe some of their success to his pioneering style.
“Y’all remember that?” he said. “Y’all was in high school. I walked so y’all could run, so streamers could run. … My Instagram views and numbers were through the roof. I think I was meant to be a streamer because I’m not faking nothing. I’m just charismatic, and when I’m wrong, I’m wrong. I’m human at the end of the day. But I respect what you do.”
He continued to emphasize how his candidness shaped perceptions of him: “People don’t like me because they can’t control my mouth… and they’re like, ‘Damn, he’s too right.’ I’m not right about everything, because I’m human… I fed families. I’ve fed many families. I’ve created a lot of movements. But because I’m 6ix9ine, people are like, ‘Nah, nah, nah.’”
Check out the full stream below.
Trending on Billboard Ye (formerly Kanye West) met with Rabbi Yoshiayao Yosef Pinto on Tuesday to apologize for his antisemitic remarks about the Jewish community. “I feel really blessed to sit here and take accountability,” West began while holding Pinto’s hands. “I was dealing with various issues. I was dealing with bipolar also, so I […]
Trending on Billboard This is partner content. The Billboard Live Music Summit & Awards was full of enlightening panels and the hottest stars. Usher & Rauw Alejandro spoke about their experiences while touring, and Shakira won big. Keep watching for all the details! Usher: Live music and live entertainment is really the source, and I’m […]
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In the history of Hip-Hop, we have seen artists tease new music, only for said music to never see the light of day.
From Dr. Dre’s Detox to that long-rumored collab album between Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole, it seems that we’ve had our fair share of these ideas failing to reach fruition. Now, A$AP Rocky may be joining this elite group of rappers who decided to tease a project that may or may not happen.
In a recent clip shared by Maurice Kamara with The People Gallery, the Harlem rapper was asked about the progress of his long-overdue fourth LP, “Don’t Be Dumb.” He answered, “Don’t Be Dumb? Never dropping.” The two then burst out into laughter, with Rocky adding, “They gon’ kill us for that one.”
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The project, his follow-up to 2018’s “Testing,” was originally slated to be released in August 2024 before being delayed just days before release. At the time, Rocky explained to X, that it was due to leaks and sample clearances. Since then, several tracks have been released, including “Highjack,” “Tailor Swif,” and the J. Cole-assisted “Ruby Rosary.” His most recent single, “pray4dagang,” was released in July of this year.
In an interview with Numéro Magazine, Rocky admits he’s done sharing release dates for the album, but that it will be worth the wait.
“To be honest, I don’t want to talk about release dates anymore,” he said. “I’d rather let the music speak for itself. One day, you’ll wake up and see what’s coming up. I was a bit foolish giving dates last time… Today, I want to make it clear. You’ll just have to wait and enjoy the record when it’ll come out.”
So, is Flacko planning on a surprise release for the speakers, or will the project go the way of his wifey Rihanna’s “R9” that’s been “in the works” for nearly a decade? The world may never know.
Juan Luis Guerra and Sting, two of the most globally admired artists in music, surprise their fans Thursday night (Nov. 6) with a new version of “Estrellitas y Duendes” — a classic by the Dominican maestro, included on his iconic 1990 album Bachata Rosa — which you can preview exclusively above. (Return at 7:00 p.m. ET to watch the full music video).
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The sweet song — a bachata with bolero elements that expresses the pain and melancholy of a lost love through deeply poetic lyrics — returns 35 years later to unite Guerra’s celebrated sound with Sting’s unmistakable artistic sensitivity, with the latter taking on the task of singing entirely in Spanish.
“Juan Luis’ lyrics in ‘Estrellitas y Duendes’ are a master class in what one might call romantic magical realism. I had to try to sing them exactly as they were written because they’re impeccable,” Sting says in a statement to Billboard Español. “My Spanish pronunciation is hardly perfect, but the spirit in which I sang them is genuine and true.”
For Guerra, this came as a surprise. “We recorded remotely, and what stood out to me the most is that he wanted to record it all in Spanish,” he explains separately in a Zoom interview. “It’s a somewhat challenging song, with metaphorical words that aren’t very common, and he did it impressively well. I know he put in special effort.”
In its new version, “Estrellitas y Duendes” keeps the elegant, evocative instrumentation and arrangements of the original basically intact, but it’s Sting’s voice that opens with the romantic line: “Viviré en tu recuerdo como un simple aguacero de estrellitas y duendes” (“I will live in your memory like a simple downpour of little stars and elves”). From there, both artists take turns singing the different verses in a sweet back-and-forth of their unmistakable voices.
This isn’t the first time these two music legends have collaborated in some way. In 2006, Sting invited Guerra on stage during a concert at Altos de Chavón in La Romana, Dominican Republic, to perform “Fragile” together.
Almost two decades later, Guerra was re-recording “Estrellitas y Duendes” for an upcoming album of new versions of his songs when Sting’s name came up as a possible collaborator. “We approached him, and he accepted, and for me, it was a privilege and an honor to have him as one of the greatest representations of rock in the world,” Guerra says. “Besides, we are fans of his and have always admired him.”
Sting recalls that it was his manager Martin Kierszenbaum, who is a Spanish-speaker “and, like me, a big admirer of Juan Luis’ compositions,” the one who encouraged him to lend his voice to this classic by Guerra, “one of his favorites.” They immediately recorded his part one afternoon at Night Bird Studios in Los Angeles.
Guerra notes that this happened a couple of years ago, explaining that they had to wait for the right moment to release it. Finally ready, they met in person a few months ago to shoot the music video at Power Station Studios in New York, directed by Guerra Films.
Juan Luis Guerra and Sting both have extraordinary legacies in music. The former, one of the most celebrated Latin artists in history, has received three Grammy Awards and 31 Latin Grammys. The latter, both as a solo artist and as the leader of The Police, has earned 17 Grammy Awards, as well as a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and multiple Oscar nominations.
Released on December 11, 1990 under Karen Records, Bachata Rosa debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Tropical Albums and topped the chart for 12 weeks. “Estrellitas y Duendes,” the fifth single from the set, reached No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs in 1991.
“Estrellitas y Duentes” ft. Sting
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Source: LOUIS VUITTON / Louis Vuitton
Pharrell Williams is looking to change the accessory game once again. His new Louis Vuitton Touch collection is redefining men’s luxury bags.
As per The Robb Report, Pharrell Williams has helped curate yet another product expansion for the Maison. This month, Louis Vuitton announced the launch of the LV Touch Leather Goods Line. According to a press release, the portfolio seeks to offer men “inviting modern refinement through singular designs.” Included in the debut drop are a range of carry-alls ranging from small to medium in sizing. Each piece is crafted from either suede or calfskin making them supple to the touch and enhancing the sensory experience.
Materials aside, the form and construction offer versatility, letting users flex from the workplace to social settings. The debut set features six selections including the Steamer 30, its signature over the shoulder Hobo and a cross body Delta Slingbag. While each has a point of difference in terms of usage, feel and look, the Steamer 30 is the clear standout. This version reinterprets the classic canvas bag that was intended to carry laundry on long trips. With two handles on top and an optional strap, this selection allows for it to go cross body or carried by hand.
The Louis Vuitton Touch Collection is available now and can be shopped here.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
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With only weeks left until from Wicked: For Good hits theaters, fans have something else to fill the Wicked void.
Puma just dropped a Wicked-themed collection, transforming some of their most popular apparel into Oz-themed clothes for kids and adults that you can shop on the brand’s website now. The collection includes decorative hoodies, tees and updated Speedcat styles all imbued with the spirit of Wicked magic.
If you’re looking to get into the spirit ahead of the new movie, or just a great gift for Wicked-obsessed fans, friends and family members for the holiday season, well, you’re in the right place. We’ll be breaking down a few of our favorites from the collaboration, covering everything from pricing and material to styling. Keep reading to shop Puma’s new Wicked collection.
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Puma x ‘Wicked’ Speedcat Goodness
A Glinda-themed Speedcat sneaker.
Puma x ‘Wicked’ Speedcat Elphie
A Elphaba-themed Speedcat sneaker.
The Speedcat is a Puma silhouette rooted in athleticism. Initially created for Formula 1 drivers, the silhouette is aerodynamic and flexible, a performance style that was made exceedingly wearable via this collaboration. The two traditional Speedcat silhouettes, both retailing for $110, now have designs inspired by Elphaba and Glinda.
The Glinda-inspired silhouette called Goodness is a dreamy lilac hue accompanied by truly whimsical touches like sheer ribbon trim and bubble embroidery, making the shoe look just as light and airy as it feels on the foot. The speedy striping on the side of this style is an iridescent hue, reminiscent of the look of the bubbles Glinda floats in. On the flipside, you’ve got the Elphaba style, aptly called Elphie, which is a moody black with emerald green accents. The uppers feature a floral-esque crushed velvet fabric, imparting textural interest.
The Speedcat is insanely comfortable and casual thanks to the low-profile design, meaning you can style it in a myriad of ways. The themed design also makes both silhouettes a stand-out. Plus, for a collaborative piece, the price tag is not bad, considering regular Puma Speedcat styles are usually around the same price. Great for holiday gift-giving, either or style is a must-have, especially for the major Wicked fan in your life.
Puma x ‘Wicked’ Speedcat Ballet Silver Slippers
A Wicked-themed Speedcat ballet flat.
Another Speedcat model, but this time in ballet flat form. It’s the Speedcat Ballet Silver Slippers, paying homage to Dorothy Gale’s footwear in The Wizard of Oz, which, if you didn’t know by now, was originally silver, not ruby red. Retailing for $90, this style comes in sizes for women and kids and features metallic outsoles, sparkling straps and textured embroidery throughout.
This style sort of reminds us of the Tin Man, what with all the silver. Metallic footwear is becoming exceedingly popular, especially as we get into the colder months. Ballet flats have also gotten extremely popular, especially as people are shifting away from heeled items for something way more comfortable. We can see this shoe translating well to outfits at the office or a casual trip to grab coffee. Why not get ahead of the trend and snag these today?
Puma x ‘Wicked’ Women’s Goodness Hoodie
A Wicked-themed hoodie for women.
The women’s Goodness hoodie is a hero piece from the collection. What we mean by that is it’s one of the more eye-catching styles and one we think people will be snatching up left and right. Retailing for $100, this hoodie comes in sizes XS to XL and features that same lilac hue seen on Glinda’s Speedcat sneakers.
The piece is cropped and affixed with baggy arms that are equipped with a delicate ballet-inspired lace-up design that we just know Glinda would love. The front and back of the hoodie are affixed with Puma x Wicked co-branding, including a striking crown design. The sleeves have subtle butterfly detailing, a common Glinda motif. As we get into the colder seasons, this hoodie is sure to come in handy. While it is cropped, the boxy composition makes it super cozy. The hoodie is also made of a fleece material that helps keep the cold at bay, so you’ll be looking cute and warm all winter long.
Puma x ‘Wicked’ Oz Tee
A Wicked-themed t-shirt.
Puma knows how to make a great graphic tee, and this Oz tee is no exception. Retailing for $50, the shirt currently comes in sizes XS to XXL. The piece is slightly boxy and made of soft, easy to wash and breathable cotton fabric, great if you get hot easily (no shame). The front of the tee features Puma x Wicked graphics with pops of pink and green throughout.
Above the graphic, flying monkeys hover, looking as if they’re guarding the graphic from harms way. To give it a lived-in look, the tee includes a washed design, mimicking the look of the well-loved tees you might find at a vintage store. All in all, this is a classic silhouette with subtle nods to the film. Styled with your favorite denim and a bomber jacket overtop, you’ll be ready to sit in theaters before long. If you’re in the market for a new t-shirt and you don’t want to spend tons on a perfectly distressed style, this tee is for you.
Puma x ‘Wicked’ Oz Fleece Hoodie
A Wicked-themed hoodie.
Finally, we have the Oz Fleece Hoodie, another ultra-cozy piece retailing for $100. Current sizing runs from XXS to XXL. As mentioned, this hoodie is made of a cozy fleece material that insulates the wearer, especially if you get damp from the snow or rain we’re bound to have in the thick of fall. While this hoodie is marketed for men, it can easily be unisex, much like the other items in this collection. The style is an emerald green, a nod to the Emerald City, with pink accents.
The front of the hoodie reads, “The Wizard sees everything,” a slightly ominous Oz-inspired graphic that we can’t help but fangirl over. Like the t-shirt before it, this hoodie also has a distressed wash, giving it that lived-in look without all the effort. This hoodie is another great option if you haven’t prepped your closet for the colder months yet. It’ll certainly keep you warm and stylish too. The colorway also screams Wicked, perfect for your next watch party or theater experience.
Following the box office success that was Wicked in 2024, Wicked: For Good hits theaters on Friday, Nov. 21, just one day shy of the one-year anniversary of the film’s first half. The sequel was first announced on X in April by director Jon M. Chu’s “OzPhone.” The filmmaker wrote at the time, “With more space, we can tell the story of Wicked as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys of these beloved characters.”
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Charli xcx wasn’t messing around when she took on the assignment of writing an original song for Emerald Fennell’s upcoming Wuthering Heights adaptation.
On Thursday (Nov. 6), the pop star posted a teaser for the track, titled “House,” and shared a long description of the creative process behind how she made it — including how she teamed up with surprise guest the Velvet Underground’s John Cale for the project. Explaining that she was immediately taken with the “world [Fennell] was creating” after the director reached out about making a song for Wuthering Heights last Christmas, Charli wrote, “After being so in the depths of my previous album [Brat], I was excited to escape into something entirely new, entirely opposite.”
“When I think of Wuthering Heights, I think of many things,” she continued. “I think of passion and pain. I think of the Moors, I think of the mud and the cold. I think of determination and grit.”
The singer went on to say that while working on the music for the movie — which will star Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff — she kept returning to a phrase she’d heard Cale use to describe his band’s music in a Velvet Underground documentary. “Any song had to be both ‘elegant and brutal,’” Charli wrote. “When the summer ended I was still ruminating on John’s words.”
This led Charli to reach out to Cale with the idea of collaborating on the scoring project, after which he sent her a poem that made her “cry.”
“I feel so lucky to have been able to work with John on this song,” she added in her note. “I’ve been so excited to share it with you all, sitting quietly in anticipation.”
“House” will arrive Monday, months ahead of when Wuthering Heights is set to hit theaters in February next year. In the song teaser, Charli appears on the screen lying on the side of her face while a man’s hand presses into her hair.
“Can I speak to you privately for a moment?” a deep voice says from off camera over sparse violin strikes.
Fennell’s take on Wuthering Heights is just the latest screen adaptation of Emily Brontë’s iconic gothic novel of the same name. In September, the first teaser trailer for the film dropped, featuring “Everything Is Romantic” from Charli’s Brat album. “House” will mark Charli’s first release since unveiling the full Brat remix album in October 2024.
See Charli’s teaser for “House” below.
Hannah Dailey4:37 PM
