London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Aug 28, 2025

UK watchdog to study music streaming amid claims of raw deal for artists and fans

UK watchdog to study music streaming amid claims of raw deal for artists and fans

Competition regulator acts after stinging criticism by MPs of record labels and platforms such as Spotify
The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an in-depth study into the booming music streaming market, to assess whether the big record labels and services such as Spotify hold “excessive power”, and whether artists and fans are getting a fair deal.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was asked to launch the study after a scathing report by a cross-party committee of MPs last year called for a “complete reset” of a streaming model it believed only benefited big labels and superstar acts.

Music streaming now dominates fans’ listening habits and accounts for 80% of the £1.7bn total UK industry income last year. Spending on subscriptions to services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music hit £1.3bn, compared with just £135.6m on vinyl albums, and £150m on CDs.

“Whether you’re into Bowie, Beethoven or Beyoncé, most of us now choose to stream our favourite music,” said Andrea Coscelli, the CMA chief executive. “A vibrant and competitive music streaming market not only serves the interests of fans and creators but helps support a diverse and dynamic sector, which is of significant cultural and economic value to the UK.”

The CMA said the market study, which will examine the streaming industry from “creator to consumer”, will pay particular attention to the power and influence of record labels and music streaming services.

“The CMA will consider whether innovation is being stifled and if firms hold excessive power,” it said. “The CMA will also assess whether any lack of competition between music companies could affect the musicians, singers and songwriters whose interests are intertwined with those of music lovers.”

The study will assess whether or not there is a need for a full competition investigation, and if the government should legislate to improve the UK music market, take enforcement action against firms, encourage industry self-regulation or allow it to continue as it does now.

“As we examine this complex market, our thinking and conclusions will be guided by the evidence we receive,” said Coscelli. “If the CMA finds problems, it will consider what action may be necessary.”

The streaming revolution has given big music labels their mojo back. Last year, Universal Music, the world’s biggest music company and home to artists from Taylor Swift to the Beatles, was floated at a €45bn (£38bn) valuation. Warner Music, bought by Sir Leonard Blavatnik for $3.3bn (£2.5bn) in 2011, is now valued at more than $22bn.

The culture select committee report in July looked at the economics of streaming and noted that the world’s three biggest music companies: Universal Music, Sony Music and Warner Music, control about three-quarters of the UK recording market, allowing them to strike increasingly advantageous deals with streaming companies such as Spotify.

In contrast, most artists say they do not get a fair share of royalties from streaming deals they have as part of their record contracts.

“Streaming has led to an explosion of choice for music fans and creators in the UK,” said a spokesperson for the BPI, the industry body representing the UK recording industry. “The BPI looks forward to engaging closely with the CMA to help it understand the changes that streaming has brought to the music market.”

The CMA has until the 26 July to issue an interim report on the provisional findings of the market study, including a decision on whether it believes there may be grounds for a full market investigation.

The regulator then has until 26 January next year to publish the full report as well as formally start an in-depth investigation, if it deems one is required.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Bruce Willis Relocated Due to Advanced Dementia
French and Korean Nuclear Majors Clash As EU Launches Foreign Subsidy Probe
EU Stands Firm on Digital Rules as Trump Warns of Retaliation
Getting Ready for the 3rd Time in Its History, Germany Approves Voluntary Military Service for Teenagers
Argentine President Javier Milei Evacuated After Stones Thrown During Campaign Event
Denmark Confronts U.S. Diplomat Over Covert Trump-Linked Influence in Greenland
Starmer Should Back Away from ECHR, Says Jack Straw
Trump Demands RICO Charges Against George Soros and Son for Funding Violent Protests
Taylor Swift Announces Engagement to NFL Star Travis Kelce
France May Need IMF Bailout, Warns Finance Minister
Chinese AI Chipmaker Cambricon Posts Record Profit as Beijing Pushes Pivot from Nvidia
After the Shock of Defeat, Iranians Yearn for Change
Ukraine Finally Allows Young Men Aged Eighteen to Twenty-Two to Leave the Country
The Porn Remains, Privacy Disappears: How Britain Broke the Internet in Ten Days
YouTube Altered Content by Artificial Intelligence – Without Permission
Welcome to The Definition of Insanity: Germany Edition
Just a reminder, this is Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris.
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
×