By MUBUTV Staff
2026 Music Business Preview: AI, Streaming, Touring & the New Artist Revolution
The world of music is changing fast, and in this blog post, we’re diving into the big ideas from the 2026 Music Business Preview: AI, Streaming, Touring & the New Artist Revolution. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on behind the scenes in the music business, this episode is packed with cool insights about AI, streaming, touring, and more. The hosts, Eric Knight and Ritch Esra, break it all down in a way that’s easy to understand—and that’s exactly what we’re doing here. Let’s get into it!
You don’t need more confusion.
You need more clarity.
Because the problem for musicians and music fans isn’t a lack of passion—it’s that everything is changing at super speed! It’s hard to keep up with what’s important.
So let this blog post be your handy guide to the future of music.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: 2026 Music Business Preview: AI, Streaming, Touring & the New Artist Revolution
- AI Is Shaking Things Up: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a fun gadget—it’s becoming a key part of making music and even running music companies. Deals like the Warner/Suno agreement are bringing up lots of questions about who owns songs made with AI. Artists and producers are learning to use these new tools to help make better demos and arrangements, but there’s still a lot that we don’t know, especially about copyright and ownership.
- Distributors Are Turning Into Labels: Back in the day, music distributors were just about getting your CD into stores. Now, thanks to digital platforms, distributors like Symphonic and TuneCore are giving artists more power—they’re acting almost like labels, but artists keep control of their master recordings.
- Streaming Has Plateaued: Streaming music isn’t growing like it used to, especially in the United States. Most people who want to stream music are already doing it. Growth is happening more slowly and mostly in international markets. It’s not just about getting streams anymore—it’s about building a real fan base, kind of like how Netflix wants subscribers, not just viewers.
- Success Is About Community, Not Just Hits: Having one big hit song doesn’t matter as much as it used to. Some artists don’t get huge streaming numbers but have loyal fans who buy tickets and merch. Building relationships and community is more important for artists now.
- Live Performance Is Getting Harder for Smaller Acts: Big stars can still fill stadiums, but it’s tougher for smaller and mid-level artists to tour. The pandemic changed people’s habits, and rising costs make touring tricky unless you have a strong audience.
- Gaming, Tech, and Music Are Merging: Gaming and music are growing closer together, and AI is a big part of that. People might say “attention spans are shrinking,” but gamers and fans can get lost in music and games for hours.
- Education = Power: Artists who learn about the business and keep up with new tech trends are the ones making lasting careers. The rules for success have changed, and being educated about the industry really helps.
BEST MOMENTS:
- 00:58 – 💬 “Eric Knight: AI moved from a tool to systematic infrastructure. What changed?”
- 02:02 – 💬 “Ritch Esra: Who owns the copyrights of songs created on AI platforms? There’s no real explanation right now.”
- 07:19 – 💬 “Eric Knight: The artist services thing…the big difference now is artists own the master.”
- 16:56 – 💬 “Ritch Esra: Frank Ocean, MGMT, Greta Van Fleet…they don’t have big streaming numbers, but they do have real fan bases.”
- 28:38 – 💬 “Eric Knight: Even though it’s weird…it is an exciting time to be in music, especially for independent artists.”
- 30:28 – 💬 “Whoever says they’re not using AI tools like Suno is full of it. Everyone’s secretly using them.”
TIMESTAMPED OVERVIEW
- 00:00 Podcast kicks off with Eric Knight and Ritch Esra welcoming listeners and introducing their yearly music industry review.
- 00:49 AI becomes the center of discussion, especially how deals like Warner/Suno are changing the game. It’s not just artists—everyone in the business is figuring out what happens next.
- 05:53 Music distributors like Symphonic and TuneCore aren’t just pushing out music. They’re acting as labels, giving artists more control. Distribution deals, not traditional label deals, are the new normal.
- 14:12 Streaming hits a wall. There’s no huge growth in new listeners, especially not in the U.S.—expansion is happening in places like Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
- 18:17 Video platforms and social media are rising, while playlists become less powerful. Discovery depends a lot on algorithms—Spotify and YouTube know what you’ll like before you do.
- 34:30 Live performance is radically changing. Big artists still do well, but it’s hard for smaller acts as people stay home or go out less.
- 42:07 Gaming and music connect. Gamers can focus for hours, showing that attention span isn’t the only thing that matters; it’s all about being truly interested.
- 50:16 Education and transparency give artists an edge. Inform yourself, adapt, and you can make your own path in the music world.
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Want to grow your music career? Check out these free guides and resources from Eric Knight and Ritch Esra:
- MUBUTV Guides
- Contact A&R Executives With Confidence
- How to Attract an Artist Manager
- Film & TV Placement Strategies
LINKS TO CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS
- Website: MUBUTV
- Instagram: @mubutv
- TikTok: @mubutv
- YouTube: MUBUTV Channel
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Eric Knight and Ritch Esra are passionate about bringing real stories and knowledge to musicians everywhere. They believe in educating, empowering, and connecting artists, so everyone can build a successful career in the new music industry.
So whether you’re an artist, producer, or just a music fan, the 2026 Music Business Preview: AI, Streaming, Touring & the New Artist Revolution has something important to say: the only thing you need to do is keep learning, stay open to change, and remember—success isn’t just about hits; it’s about building your world in music, in your way.
