Written evidence submitted by Wayne Lee

DCMS committee evidence submission

 What are the dominant business models of platforms that offer streaming as a service?

Spotify, Tidal, Soundcloud, AudioMack, , Bandcamp, Google music,

 Have new features associated with streaming platforms, such as algorithmic curation of music or company playlists, influenced consumer habits, tastes, etc?

Yes, it’s created a situation where major labels (who already have shares/partnerships) with major streaming platforms, can unfairly manipulate the system to suit their artists. Further, it just creates a feedback loop, which generates the same tracks to play all the time, without attempting to throw in genuine discovery potential, for independent artists.

 What has been the economic impact and long-term implications of streaming on the music industry, including for artists, record labels, record shops, etc?

Complete devaluation in the perceived worth as music, as an art form. No other medium has been attacked or allowed to be treated in this way. Streaming companies are not music companies, they’re data driven tech companies, with no interest in the worth of an artist or their music. The industry, with the democratisation of anyone releasing their own music, means there is a massive supply over demand, so the streaming companies, rights holding companies and record labels have no interest in resolving the issues of artists being unable to survive, as there’s a queue a mile long to choose from

 How can the Government protect the industry from knock-on effects, such as increased piracy of music? Does the UK need an equivalent of the Copyright Directive?

Set guaranteed minimum artist royalty rates. Outlaw penal contracts, guaranteeing protections of artists rights and standardised royalty rates. Complete overhaul of how major streaming companies structure their payments.  Do alternative business models exist? How can policy favour more equitable business models?

There could be pay to play model, which goes directly to the artists, whose songs are played by their fans, rather than straight into a pot for the monthly subscription. i.e. one fan might listen to 3-4 artists, but their subscription is not weighted to go directly go towards those artists. So, ultimately, a more user/artist centric approach. Streaming platforms can take a cut off the top for the tech side of things and the balance goes to those artists actually streamed by the consumer.