The latest issue of Music & Copyright is now available for subscribers to download. Here are some of the highlights.
WMG makes biggest recorded music market-share gains of 2015; indies cement publishing lead
Music & Copyright’s annual survey of the recorded music and music publishing sectors has revealed changes in global market share for the three major music groups and the independent sector. Recorded music leader UMG lost market share in 2015, but WMG, the smallest of the three majors, made the biggest gains. SME experienced a slight increase in its share. Sony/ATV remained the leader in terms of corporate publishing control, despite its share edging down. UMPG was the only major publisher to increase its market share. However, the collective share of the independent publishing sector registered the biggest share rise, with leading indies BMG and Kobalt making impressive gains.
TEOSTO reports record year for royalty collections in Finland
Finnish authors’ society TEOSTO has reported a record year for royalty collections from the use of music in Finland. But the total amount of royalties collected in Finland, which also includes performance and mechanical reproduction royalties collected through other organizations and remuneration for public lending and private copying, was lower in 2015 than in 2014. The decrease was caused by a big drop in private copying income as a result of a change in the way the income source is administered. Broadcasting accounted for the biggest share of domestic performing rights. Despite a big rise in digital collections, the income source remains a minor income stream for local authors and publishers.
Live performance video streaming moves towards the mainstream
Live performance video streaming is beginning to establish itself as a mainstream music segment. Leading US live entertainment group Live Nation looks set to become a major broadcast player after successfully rolling out Live Nation TV on Yahoo, with music festival streaming likely to become a key part of its portfolio. Video games platform Twitch.tv is also well placed in the space, given its large audience of electronic dance music (EDM) lovers. Smaller outfits see live streaming as a promising opportunity too: Tidal is busy establishing itself as a broadcaster, to market its core streaming service to consumers, while streaming apps providers are carving out niches as low-cost providers for artists looking to air their live performances.
Russia country report
In addition to the usual set of music industry statistics and news briefs, the latest issue of Music & Copyright includes a detailed Russia music industry profile. Russia’s two main music industry sectors, recorded and live, have had contrasting fortunes for much of this century. Recorded music sales had struggled to reach anything close to their potential given the size of the Russian population, while the live sector went from strength to strength. Now, the opposite is happening: Recorded music sales are rising in contrast to the live sector, which has been hit by the devaluation of the ruble and problematic relations with the West. Last year record company earnings benefitted from a surprise increase in revenue from the sale of physical formats. Although digital income was largely unchanged, revenue from subscription services registered a big rise, suggesting music access services are starting to resonate with consumers.
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