Streaming - CMU | the music business explained

Belgium's plan to give artists and session musicians direct streaming payments could be blocked by EU court

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Equitable Remuneration • 4 min read

Belgium's plan to give artists and session musicians direct streaming payments could be blocked by EU court

When implementing the 2019 EU Copyright Directive, Belgium introduced a new performer ER right on streams, a move opposed through the Belgian courts by the labels and digital services. Judges have now referred the matter to the EU courts to clarify if the new right is compliant with European law…

Chris Cooke • 27 Sep 2024

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

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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

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Bytedance • 3 min read

TikTok Music to close

TikTok Music will close down at the end of November. The standalone music service launched last year as an evolution of Resso, the earlier music platform operated by TikTok owner Bytedance. TikTok says it now wants to focus on its Add To Music App feature…

Chris Cooke & Sam Taylor • 24 Sep 2024

It’s “common sense” that audiobooks have “more than token value” says Spotify in MLC lawsuit response letter

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Spotify • 4 min read

It’s “common sense” that audiobooks have “more than token value” says Spotify in MLC lawsuit response letter

Spotify has sent a letter to the court where it has been sued by the MLC in the ongoing dispute over its decision to classify its premium subscription as a music + audiobooks bundle. That centres on whether audiobook access has “more than token value”. Spotify argues that common sense says it does…

Chris Cooke • 24 Jul 2024

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

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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

⏩ One Liners: RAK Publishing, FAC Artist Ambassadors, CIISA + more

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One Liners - quickfire news from the music business • 4 min read

⏩ One Liners: RAK Publishing, FAC Artist Ambassadors, CIISA + more

Bella Figura snaps up RAK catalogue; Deezer does ad-sales deal with Global; Big Life Management promotions; new Artist Ambassadors for FAC; new music from Lambrini Girls, mui zyu, LYLO…

Sam Taylor • 23 Apr 2024

Here’s what happened when we asked cutting edge AI chatbots to pretend to be millennials who had scrapped their streaming subscriptions.

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ChatGPT • 2 min read

Here’s what happened when we asked cutting edge AI chatbots to pretend to be millennials who had scrapped their streaming subscriptions.

Millennials are more likely to cut their streaming subscriptions. We wanted to know why, but couldn't find any to ask - so asked ChatGPT and Claude to pretend to be Millennials. Confusing? You bet. Fun? Maybe.…

CMU • 06 Mar 2024

India’s streaming growth explodes to hit over one trillion streams, Gen Z pull back on streaming subscription spend

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Music Data • 8 min read

India’s streaming growth explodes to hit over one trillion streams, Gen Z pull back on streaming subscription spend

In 2023 83% of the global streaming catalogue failed to reach the new thousand stream ‘artist-centric’ threshold, while India saw exponential growth in stream volumes. Read CMU’s expert analysis of the numbers.…

Sam Taylor • 11 Jan 2024

Kyncl reveals Warner's levers for growth in 2024 and beyond

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Warner Music • 3 min read

Kyncl reveals Warner's levers for growth in 2024 and beyond

In his latest investor call, Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl outlined his strategy to further grow the major’s revenues, talking in particular about physical products, the evolution of streaming pricing and revenue models, and opportunities in developing music markets.…

Sam Taylor • 17 Nov 2023

Deezer set to roll out Universal Music endorsed "artist centric" model to royalty payments in France next month

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Streaming • 5 min read

Deezer set to roll out Universal Music endorsed "artist centric" model to royalty payments in France next month

Deezer has announced that it will start using a new “artist-centric” system for allocating royalties in France next month, which will prioritise “professional artists” and “active engagement”, and exclude functional audio…

Chris Cooke • 06 Sep 2023

Music Rights • 4 min read

US Copyright Royalty Board reconfirms 15.1% streaming rate for songwriters and publishers

The CRB upheld an increase in streaming royalty rates from 10.5% to 15.1% for 2018-2022, despite appeals from most streaming services. Rates are reviewed every five years. The NMPA aims for a 20% rate for 2023-2028. Streaming services seek to limit financial commitment to under 70% of revenue.…

Chris Cooke • 04 Jul 2023

Digital services and platforms news • 3 min read

Norwegian crime agency investigating Tidal data fiddling allegations

In a streaming market dominated by Spotify, Apple and some super buzzy emerging market players, at least Tidal has its…

Chris Cooke • 15 Jan 2019