YouTube stripped away two billion video views from the biggest record companies after the site cracked down on alleged fake viewers. The biggest losers were Universal and Sony.

From The Article

The dramatic cuts came as YouTube conducted a crackdown on fake views, but music industry sources have blamed it on housekeeping related to the migration of their videos across different channels. The unprecedented move left Universal with just five videos on the site - none of which were music - and Sony with just three.

The Weeknd has partnered with Universal to release Trilogy (House of Balloons, Thursday, and Echoes of Silence) on November 13th. The physical and digital releases will also feature new music. Additionally, The Weeknd will drop his first single "Wicked Games" sometime soon to digital retailers.

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers have officially announced their hiatus. Stephen will continue to write and record music.

EMI, Warner Bros, Sony BMG and Universal are all being sued for piracy.

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After Midnight Project are in the studio with John Feldmann recording their debut album for Universal/Motown. They've set-up a studio blog to capture the behind the scenes shenanigans, which you can check out here.

A 90 second clip of Making April's major label debut "These Are The Nights" can be heard on their myspace. The single was recorded with David Bendeth (Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Paramore, Breaking Benjamin) earlier this year.

Canada's Veer has signed a record deal with Universal/Motown.

Next week Making April will be headed into the studio to record with producer David Bendeth (Paramore, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Vertical Horizon). Their debut single is slated to hit radio 1st Quarter 2008.

Following promotional deals with Amazon and Pepsi, Sony and WMG are seriously considering distributing releases in MP3 format next to EMI and Universal.

Jimmy Robbins (formerly Too Sorry For Apologies) has signed to Universal/Motown Records.

Universal sees singles on USB flash drives, which will cost about twice what a normal single does, as the savior to sliding music sales.

Major labels will soon start selling Ringles. What is that, you ask? Exactly.

Universal Music Group has purchased V2 Records.

Those DRM-free songs that Universal will begin offering will actually still be watermarked.

Universal Music has decided to start selling digital albums with no copy protection.

Universal has purchased Sanctuary Records.

Universal Music Group is demanding that Youtube take down a clip of a toddler dancing because of a Prince song that plays in the background; the Electronic Frontier Foundation is filing suit in response.

Universal Music Group, the biggest music corporation in the world, has decided not to renew its annual contract to sell music through iTunes.

Straylight Run have signed with Universal Music Group. Their major-label debut, The Needle, The Space, will hit stores on June 19th.

In other news, we will be running a tour contest with them hopefully starting next week. Stay tuned for details!

Universal Music Publishing Group and Trustkill Records have joined forces. Read the press release right here.

According to BigHassle.com's web site, Straylight Run will be releasing their forthcoming, as-yet-untitled full length on Universal Records.

Submitted by: ekw611