DiMA - CMU | the music business explained

Streaming services don’t want French language quotas in Québec

public

DiMA • 3 min read

Streaming services don’t want French language quotas in Québec

Québec is considering new laws to promote Francophone music on digital platforms in the Canadian province, which would likely include French language quotas. Streaming services have told politicians quotas won’t work and Francophone music is best promoted through “listener choice, not constraint”…

Chris Cooke • 31 Oct 2025

DiMA rails against Canada’s streaming levy, launches letter writing campaign

public

DiMA • 2 min read

DiMA rails against Canada’s streaming levy, launches letter writing campaign

Streaming services continue in their campaign against the proposed 5% streaming levy in Canada, funds from which would support independent music and commercial radio news. Already fighting the levy in the courts, they have now launched a public-facing campaign urging consumers to write to their MPs…

Chris Cooke • 01 Oct 2024

Streaming isn’t radio, the majors and DSPs tell Canadian regulator

public

CRTC • 2 min read

Streaming isn’t radio, the majors and DSPs tell Canadian regulator

Canadian broadcasting regulator the CRTC is implementing the elements of Canada’s Online Streaming Act that aim to promote Canadian content. That has led to concerns that radio industry rules will be applied to streaming platforms, prompting an open letter from the major labels and digital services…

Chris Cooke • 27 Sep 2024

Streaming giants sue to block Canada's 5% revenue levy

public

Digital services and platforms news • 2 min read

Streaming giants sue to block Canada's 5% revenue levy

Spotify, Apple and Amazon are taking legal action against Canada’s new 5% streaming levy. The music industry welcomes the cash injection, but platforms argue it’s “unsustainable” and may hike prices. Meanwhile, Netflix and Disney+ are fighting the levy’s use for local news funding. Legal drama ahoy!…

Chris Cooke • 09 Jul 2024

Canada's new streaming levy is a “protectionist subsidy for radio”

public

Streaming • 3 min read

Canada's new streaming levy is a “protectionist subsidy for radio”

Streaming services in Canada will have to pay a new 5% levy with the money supporting music and radio industry initiatives. Stemming from the country’s Online Streaming Act, the levy has been welcomed by the music industry but heavily criticised by the digital platforms…

Chris Cooke • 05 Jun 2024

Change MLC dispute procedure so we don’t pay to sue ourselves, say streaming services

public

MLC • 5 min read

Change MLC dispute procedure so we don’t pay to sue ourselves, say streaming services

The streaming services have told the US Copyright Office that it should put in place new rules for how collecting society The MLC deals with disputes over the compulsory licence it administers. Under the current system, services can end up paying for lawsuits in which they are the defendants…

Chris Cooke • 04 Jun 2024