Assessing Music Streaming and Industry Disruptions

Abstract

Digital change has profoundly affected the cultural and creative industries, yet there seems to be different accounts on how to best interpret these changes. In such a context, the music industries may provide valuable insights on digital change that may prove important and transferable to other content industries. Based on two recent studies on the Norwegian music market, this chapter explores the extent to which music streaming has disrupted the structures and interrelationships of traditional and new intermediaries in the music economy. It will be argued that music streaming in many ways represents a continuation of past models which seem to amplify incumbents' position instead of challenging and disrupting them. Furthermore, the economic and labour conditions for artists and musicians seem to become more complex and difficult.