Some of the most popular songs on YouTube and YouTube Music have suddenly disappeared due to a licensing dispute with SESAC, the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers.
As of last weekend, tracks from artists like Adele, Nirvana, Kendrick Lamar, and Green Day are no longer available to stream, with users seeing a message:
“Video unavailable. This video contains content from SESAC. It is not available in your country.”
What is SESAC on YouTube?
SESAC is a performing rights organization responsible for licensing and managing the public performance rights of over 1.5 million songs. Though smaller than its competitors BMI and ASCAP, SESAC has a significant portfolio of high-profile songwriters and composers. Established in 1930, SESAC was acquired by private equity firm Blackstone in 2017.
It’s tasked with ensuring that its members get paid for the public performance of their works, including on platforms like YouTube and YouTube Music.
And the community’s reaction to the changes? Well, we will just let ChocoMingo‘s sarcastic comment speak for itself:
Man, I really love SESAC. Gotta be one of my favorite artists 😍 https://t.co/ZUsS0ayp9c pic.twitter.com/vZSdZeiCxL
— ChocoMingo 🦩 (@ChocoMingo) September 28, 2024
Why are songs disappearing on YouTube?
The issue arises from YouTube and SESAC’s failure to agree on a new licensing deal.
According to YouTube, they have been in “good faith negotiations” with SESAC but couldn’t reach an agreement before the current contract expired. As a result, songs licensed under SESAC are no longer available to U.S. users.
A YouTube spokesperson noted:
“We take copyright very seriously and as a result, content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the U.S.”
However, YouTube added that negotiations are ongoing, and they hope to resolve the issue soon.
What artists are under SESAC?
SESAC represents a vast array of artists across various genres. Here are some notable examples:
- Pop/Rock: Adele, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, RUSH, Jack Harlow, Ariana Grande, Disclosure, Zac Brown, Rosanne Cash, Hillary Scott of Lady A, Lee Brice, Margo Price
- Hip-Hop/R&B: Nicky Jam, Blanco Brown, Bryson Tiller, Tory Lanez, H.E.R.
- Country: Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Old Dominion
- Latin: Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, J Balvin, Ozuna
- Electronic: Skrillex, Deadmau5, Kaskade, Tiësto, Marshmello
This is just a small sample. SESAC represents countless other artists, including songwriters and composers for film and television.
What happens to content from SESAC now?
Content licensed by SESAC is currently unavailable on YouTube and YouTube Music in the U.S. due to the ongoing dispute over licensing terms. As of now, songs from SESAC-represented artists have been removed, with users encountering a message indicating the content is blocked.
While negotiations between YouTube and SESAC continue, the platform has had to pull the content to avoid legal risks. SESAC has not made an official public statement, and YouTube remains hopeful for a resolution. However, until an agreement is reached, U.S. users won’t be able to access this music on YouTube.
This situation affects some, but not all, SESAC-licensed music, and the duration of this blackout remains uncertain.
How to bypass SESAC?
If you’re trying to access music blocked by SESAC on YouTube or YouTube Music in the U.S., you can bypass this restriction using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to mask your location by connecting to a server in another country where the music is still available. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Choose a reliable VPN service
There are many VPN services available, both free and paid. For optimal performance, choose a reputable VPN provider like:
- NordVPN
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost
- Surfshark
Paid options often offer faster speeds, more security, and reliable access to a variety of server locations.
Step 2: Download and install the VPN app
Once you’ve chosen your VPN provider:
- Download the VPN app for your device. Most VPNs are available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
- Install the app by following the installation instructions.
Step 3: Login and choose a server location
After installing the VPN:
- Open the app and log in with your credentials.
- Choose a server location outside the U.S., where SESAC-related restrictions are not in place. Countries like Canada, Germany, or Japan are good options for accessing international content.
Step 4: Connect to the VPN
Once you’ve selected a server:
- Click Connect in your VPN app.
- Wait for the VPN to establish a secure connection.
You are now virtually browsing from the chosen country.
Step 5: Access YouTube or YouTube Music
Now that your IP address reflects a non-U.S. location:
- Open YouTube or YouTube Music in your browser or app.
- Search for the content you want to view. The blocked songs should now be available.
By following these steps, you should be able to bypass the SESAC block and enjoy your favorite music from Adele, Kendrick Lamar, and more on YouTube.
Image credits: Emre Çıtak/Ideogram AI
