YouTube’s Missing Hits Will Return After SESAC Deal

YouTube users who noticed the sudden disappearance of several hit songs over the weekend can breathe a sigh of relief. After a temporary removal, YouTube has reached a new deal with SESAC, a music licensing organization, that will restore the affected tracks to the platform. The removal impacted songs from well-known artists such as Adele, Nirvana, and Kanye West, among others, sparking confusion among fans and music lovers.

The issue arose because YouTube and SESAC had not finalized a renewal for their licensing agreement, leading to the removal of songs before the old contract’s expiration date on October 1st, 2024. However, this new deal will ensure that SESAC’s songwriters and publishers receive proper compensation for their work on the platform.

Why the Songs Were Removed

The sudden disappearance of popular tracks can be traced back to YouTube's decision to unilaterally remove SESAC-affiliated songs in the lead-up to the expiration of their licensing deal. This meant that major hits, like Adele’s "Hello" and Kanye West’s "Power", were no longer available for streaming on both YouTube and YouTube Music.

In an official statement to The Verge, Scott Jungmichel, President and COO of SESAC's performing rights division, confirmed the resolution of the issue. He said, "We have reached an agreement with YouTube to equitably compensate SESAC’s songwriters and publishers for the use of their music. We appreciate the support and patience of our affiliates, as well as the artists who perform those songs."

What SESAC Does

SESAC, or the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, is a music rights organization that licenses the public performance of more than 1.5 million songs on behalf of 15,000+ affiliated songwriters, composers, and music publishers. It represents artists across a wide range of genres and ensures that they are compensated when their work is used on platforms like YouTube.

Despite the temporary hiccup, the new deal will provide fair compensation to SESAC-affiliated creators and keep their content accessible to YouTube’s massive user base.

YouTube’s Response

YouTube has also confirmed the resolution, noting that it will restore the removed content shortly. Mariana De Felice, YouTube’s global communications and public affairs representative, stated, "We’re pleased that SESAC reconsidered our offer. We’ve reached a deal, and content will come back up shortly."

A post by @TeamYouTube on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed that US-based content was most affected by the removal, with both YouTube and YouTube Music being impacted. The post also reassured users that the affected songs would be restored within a day or two.

As of September 30th, songs like Adele’s "Hello" and Kanye West’s "Power" were still unavailable, but they are expected to be back up soon.

The Future of Music on YouTube

While the exact terms of the new agreement between YouTube and SESAC were not disclosed, the resolution of this issue signals that YouTube is committed to maintaining relationships with music licensing bodies to avoid future disruptions. With SESAC's deal now in place, YouTube can continue to offer its users a wide range of popular songs without interruptions.

For artists and users alike, this agreement highlights the importance of ongoing negotiations between streaming platforms and music licensing organizations. As these platforms grow and change, so too must the deals that underpin them.

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