Madonna leaves Warner
The record industry really is in a period of change, proved even more by the fact that Madonna has signed a ground-breaking recording and touring contract with concert promoter Live Nation.
She is the first major star to choose an all-in-one agreement with a tour company, eschewing the traditional record deal, of the type that has covered her entire career.
It gives Live Nation rights to all her music-related projects – including new albums, tours, merchandise, websites, DVDs, sponsorship, TV shows and films.
The deal, reported to be worth around £59m over 10 years, ends her 25-year relationship with Warner Music – a relationship she has held for her entire career, during which time she has sold 200 million records and CDs.