• Due in part to amounts paid related to Napster lawsuits, Bertelsmann reported a net loss of €50.9 million ($69 million) for the first half of 2007. Sales were 2% lower after the company sold its BMG Music Publishing division to rival Universal Music Group last year. Sony BMG, Bertlelsmann's music joint venture with Sony, posted an operating loss of €2 million ($2.7 million) compared to an operating gain of €3 million ($4.07 million) last year. (Bloomberg)

• BMI posted record revenue and royalty distributions for its 2006-2007 fiscal year. The performing rights society recorded revenues of over $839 million and will distribute over $732 million to its artists. (Press release)

• LiveNation has release Stuart Galbraith, its U.K. managing director, due to a "breach of contract." (Billboard.biz)

• Warner Music Group announces a quarterly cash dividend of $19.4 million, or $0.13 per share of common stock. (Press release)

• A good article on how Saddle Creek Records has helped transform downtown Omaha. The label owns an entire city block and recently opened a 470-capacity venue called Slowdown. A coffee shop and Urban Outfitters rent space on the block. (Beatrice Daily Sun)