Attendance at Live Nation events rose four percent last year, with 151 million people attending 55,000 events. Live Nation revenue also rose three percent last year, to over $23 billion.
Florida state legislators are reviewing last year’s budget vetoes by Governor DeSantis, including the zeroing out of $32 million in arts funding. Some representatives have warned that the veto could significantly impact organizations and may result in entire programs being eliminated.
Governor DeSantis himself is considering restoring $27 million of arts funding in the upcoming budget proposal, but with strings attached. He only wants to provide funding for programs that are appropriate for all age groups.
The Kennedy Center board of trustees, composed entirely of appointees of President Trump, has voted to install President Trump as its chairman. It also voted to remove Deborah Rutter as president. In response, a number of the Center’s artistic advisors have stepped down, including Ben Folds, Renee Fleming, and Shonda Rhimes. A number of programs at the Center have already been canceled as a result of the new leadership.
President Trump has disbanded the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities. The Committee was established in 1982 and worked with the National Endowment of the Arts to advise on investment and policy relating to the arts.
The Department of Homeland Security is investigating Shen Yun. There is concern over the living and working conditions of the traveling performers while in the U.S., and there is also suspicion of visa fraud.
recording
Cinemark revenue was up 27 percent last quarter, to $814 million. This is also three percent more than pre-pandemic revenue. The revenue increase is likely the result of tentpoles Wicked and Moana 2 being released.
Spotify paid out $10 billion to the music industry in 2024. This is up $1 billion from 2023, and $9 billion from 2014. Spotify now has more than 500 million paying listeners.
Streamers will outpace commercial broadcasters in 2025, according to Ampere Analysis. Global content spend is expected to reach $248 billion in 2025, with streaming services accounting for 39 percent of that, and commercial broadcasters 37 percent. In 2025, video on demand expenditures are expected to rise by six percent.
symphonic
Michael Tilson Thomas has announced his final two performances as his cancer has returned. Both performances are with organizations he has a long history with. In March he will conduct the New World Symphony, and in April he will conduct the San Francisco Symphony.
An anonymous donor has donated $60 million to the Sarasota Orchestra. The donation will be used for planning and construction of the Orchestra’s new music center. The center will include a 1,700-seat concert hall, a 700-seat recital hall, rehearsal rooms, and office space.
Miami City Ballet artistic director Lourdes Lopez is stepping down at the end of the season. She has served as artistic director since 2012, and is the company’s second director. She will remain in Miami and work toward building collaborative infrastructure for arts organizations in south Florida.
The Miami Symphony Orchestra has appointed Emilio Estefan as chairman of the board, succeeding Rafael Diaz-Balart, who had served for 31 years. Estefan is expected to create new opportunities for the orchestra and to expand its outreach programs and strategic partnerships.