WARNER MUSIC GROUP AND SUNO FORGE GROUNDBREAKING PARTNERSHIP

Rhea-AI Summary

Warner Music Group (Nasdaq: WMG) and Suno announced a first-of-its-kind partnership on Nov 25, 2025 to build licensed AI music that compensates and protects artists and songwriters.

The deal includes Suno acquiring Songkick from Warner, a settlement of prior litigation between the companies, and product changes: Suno will launch new licensed AI models in 2026 (deprecating current models) and require a paid account to download audio, with free-tier tracks only playable/shareable and paid tiers subject to monthly download caps and additional paid downloads.

Positive

• Suno to acquire Songkick from Warner, combining live discovery and AI
• Deal includes a final settlement of prior litigation between the companies
• Planned 2026 launch of new licensed AI models replacing current models
• Monetization shift: downloads will require paid accounts, creating revenue paths for artists

Negative

• Current Suno models will be deprecated when 2026 models launch
• Free-tier songs will not be downloadable, reducing free-user ownership
• Paid-tier users face limited monthly download caps unless they pay for more downloads

Insights

Music-tech partnership analyst

WMG and Suno form a licensed-AI partnership, settle litigation, acquire Songkick, and change Suno's product/monetization model.

Warner Music Group and Suno combine Suno's AI capabilities with WMG's artist relationships to create licensed AI music, introduce paid download rules, and transfer Songkick to Suno. The agreement explicitly grants artists and songwriters control over use of their name, image, likeness, voice, and compositions and states that Suno will launch new licensed models in 2026 while deprecating current models.

Key dependencies and risks include the implementation of the new licensing and opt-in controls, the transition from free to paid download functionality, and the operational integration of Songkick into Suno. Those elements directly affect monetization, user experience, and artist participation; each must function as described for the stated revenue and protection goals to hold true.

Concrete items to watch: execution of the 2026 model launches and deprecation of current models, the rollout details of paid download tiers and monthly caps, the practical enforcement of artists' opt-in/controls, and how Songkick operates under Suno. Short-term horizon: next 6–12 months for product and policy rollouts; medium-term: performance and adoption after the 2026 model release.

Companies will collaborate on next-generation licensed AI music that empowers the creative community and opens new revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Music Group (Nasdaq: WMG), one of the world's largest music companies, and Suno, the leader in AI music, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that will open new frontiers in music creation, interaction, and discovery, while both compensating and protecting artists, songwriters, and the wider creative community. The deal brings together Suno's best-in-class AI capabilities with WMG's artist development leadership and expertise at the intersection of music and technology. The deal also settles previous litigation between the companies.

Robert Kyncl, CEO, WMG said: "This landmark pact with Suno is a victory for the creative community that benefits everyone. With Suno rapidly scaling, both in users and monetization, we've seized this opportunity to shape models that expand revenue and deliver new fan experiences. AI becomes pro-artist when it adheres to our principles: committing to licensed models, reflecting the value of music on and off platform, and providing artists and songwriters with an opt-in for the use of their name, image, likeness, voice and compositions in new AI songs."

Mikey Shulman, CEO, Suno said: "Our partnership with Warner Music unlocks a bigger, richer Suno experience for music lovers, and accelerates our mission to change the place of music in the world by making it more valuable to billions of people. Together, we can enhance how music is made, consumed, experienced and shared. This means we'll be rolling out new, more robust features for creation, opportunities to collaborate and interact with some of the most talented musicians in the world, all while continuing to build the biggest music ecosystem possible."

In 2026, Suno will make several changes to the platform, including launching new, more advanced and licensed models. When the new models launch in 2026, the current models will be deprecated. Moving forward, downloading audio will require a paid account. Suno will introduce download restrictions in certain scenarios: specifically, in the future, songs made on the free tier will not be downloadable and will instead be playable and shareable. Paid tier users will have limited monthly download caps with the ability to pay for more downloads.

With a goal to continue building with the music community, Suno has also acquired Songkick, the live music, concert-discovery platform, from Warner Music Group, and will continue to run it as a successful fan destination, bringing together the power of interactive music with live performance. The combination of Suno and Songkick will create new potential to deepen the artist-fan connection.

The partnership will build on what 100 million creators love about Suno while allowing artists and songwriters to benefit from new revenue streams, and adding powerful new interactive features that offer opportunities for deeper fan engagement. Artists and songwriters will have full control over whether and how their names, images, likenesses, voices, and compositions are used in new AI-generated music. Together, WMG and Suno are committed to forging a blueprint for a next-generation licensed AI music platform.

About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group (WMG) brings together artists, songwriters, entrepreneurs, and technology that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG's Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 10K Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, EastWest, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin', Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Records Nashville. WMG's music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. Follow WMG on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Media Contacts:
James Steven
James.Steven@wmg.com

Majeda Hussein
majeda.hussein@wmg.com

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SOURCE Warner Music Group Corp.

FAQ

What did Warner Music Group (WMG) and Suno announce on November 25, 2025?

They announced a partnership to build licensed AI music, Suno's acquisition of Songkick, and a settlement of prior litigation between the companies.

How will Suno's product change in 2026 after the WMG partnership?

Suno will launch new licensed AI models in 2026, deprecate current models, and require paid accounts to download audio.

Will free Suno users still be able to download songs after the WMG deal?

No; free-tier songs will be playable and shareable but will not be downloadable under the announced changes.

What download limits did Suno announce for paid users after the WMG partnership?

Paid users will have limited monthly download caps with the ability to pay for additional downloads.

How does the WMG–Suno deal affect artists and songwriters’ rights?

Artists and songwriters will have control over whether and how their name, image, likeness, voice, and compositions are used in new AI-generated music.