UK MPs to investigate whether artists are being paid fairly for music streams

15 October 2020, 13:10 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has announced that they are launching an inquiry into the economics of music streaming, and will investigate if artists are paid fairly by streaming services.

The investigation is due to commence next month, and will see the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee examine what economic impact music streaming is having on artists, labels, and the music industry as a whole.

Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Google Play's business models will be examined, and the Committee will also look at whether the government should be taking action to protect the industry from piracy.

Currently, music streaming in the UK contributes over £1 billion in revenue, but some artists are only paid 13% of the money made from streaming. On average, artists are paid £0.009 per stream, but it only counts if people listen for longer than 30 seconds.

When announcing the inquiry on Twitter earlier today (15 October), the DCMS Committee wrote, "We're launching an inquiry into the economics of music streaming today and want to hear from you."

Streaming has changed the music industry - but do the economics of music streaming work for everyone?

We're launching an inquiry into the economics of music streaming today and want to hear from you.

Find out more and submit evidence here: https://t.co/tj3lUEVnZ2 pic.twitter.com/7fov9s99of
— Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (@CommonsDCMS) October 15, 2020