Irving Azoff, Photographer: Luke Harold
At TheWrap’s TheGrill 2025 in Los Angeles, music mogul Irving Azoff reignited his feud with YouTube. He accused the platform of exploiting artists and hurting both music and television. Moreover, speaking with TheWrap founder Sharon Waxman, Azoff called YouTube a “bully” and “the worst offender” in artist compensation.
YouTube’s Payouts Under Fire
To begin with, Azoff focused on YouTube’s low payouts to musicians. He said artists earn just 20% of what rivals like Spotify pay. In 2024, YouTube made $50 billion in revenue. Yet Azoff believes creators saw only a small portion of that money. “They call your artists, they call the record company, they go take your music down,” he said. Additionally, he criticized YouTube’s negotiation tactics and lack of transparency. Artists, he argued, deserve clearer reporting and fairer payouts. In his view, platforms must respect intellectual property and value creative work.
Beyond music, Azoff’s frustration extended to television. He pointed to late night shows hosted by Colbert, Stewart, and Fallon. These shows get millions of views on YouTube. However, they earn far less than on traditional TV. “It’s incredible that YouTube doesn’t pay their fair share,” Azoff said. Consequently, he warned that this hurts the economics of major shows. He also mentioned YouTube’s disputes with NBCUniversal, Fox, and Paramount. Taken together, these conflicts show how YouTube’s power affects the entire entertainment industry.
Legal Pressure and Longstanding Frustration
Meanwhile, Azoff’s remarks come as Google faces growing legal scrutiny. The U.S. Justice Department is challenging its market dominance. According to Azoff, tech platforms pressure creators and media companies. “There’s such a lack of respect for intellectual property,” he said. Notably, he made similar comments at TheGrill nine years ago. Despite his concerns, Azoff remains hopeful. He believes collective pushback can lead to change. “It’s not just the music industry they’re bullying … It’s everybody,” he said.
In summary, Irving Azoff’s appearance at TheGrill 2025 reignited debate over fairness and creator compensation. He urged artists and media companies to challenge YouTube’s practices. As digital platforms continue to grow, the demand for transparency and equity grows louder. Without a doubt, Azoff’s voice remains one of the strongest in that fight.
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