Playlist Malfeasance Will Create a Streaming Crisis | Music Industry Blog

Playlist Malfeasance Will Create a Streaming Crisis | Music Industry Blog:

Streaming economics are facing a potential crisis. The problem does not lie in the market itself; after all, in Q1 2019 streaming revenue became more than half of the recorded music business and Spotify hit 100 million subscribers. Nor does it even lie in the perennial challenge of elusive operating margins. No, this particular looming crisis is both subtler and more insidious. Rather than being an inherent failing of the market, this crisis, if it transpires, will be the unintended consequence of short-sighted attempts to game the system. The root of it all is playlists.

Streaming makes casual listeners ‘more valuable’ than aficionados

Relying on casual listeners to “pay the bills” is unfortunate for the musicians. Really unfortunate. Art becomes craft. The death blow of Muzak.