If you’ve been browsing YouTube Music for the past day or so, you may have noticed that some of the most popular tunes were removed by something called “SESAC.” Fortunately, if you revisit the affected videos now, everything is back to normal. So, what exactly is SESAC, and why did they remove popular music tracks for a day?
Why did SESAC remove popular music videos
The problems started on September 29, when YouTube was having issues with the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers—or “SESAC,” as we know it more familiarly. YouTube and SESAC had a deal that allowed YouTube to host the latter’s music on its website, allowing people to watch popular music videos for free.
Like other music deals, this deal had an expiration date set for October 1, 2024. YouTube had not been able to strike a new deal, and the deadline was fast approaching. To be prepared for the worst, YouTube blocked the affected music videos beforehand so they wouldn’t get in trouble for streaming music they didn’t own the rights to. If you wanted to watch popular music videos from SESAC like Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” you were out of luck.
How the Songs Got Back on YouTube
Luckily, by the time you’re reading this, the issues with the SESAC deal have been resolved. YouTube has reached an agreement, and all the affected music videos are back. In a statement provided to The Verge, SESAC performance rights president and COO Scott Jungmichel helped clear things up.
“We have reached an agreement with YouTube to compensate SESAC’s songwriters and publishers equitably for the use of their music. We appreciate the support and patience of our partners, as well as the artists who perform those songs.
During our negotiations with YouTube, our partners’ works were unilaterally removed by YouTube ahead of the contract expiration date of October 1, 2024. YouTube has begun the process of restoring videos containing these songs.”
The block may still affect some songs, but they will return to normal once YouTube eventually unblocks them. While you wait, why not check out our analysis of the new YouTube Music AI radio service?