The latest issue of Music & Copyright is now available for subscribers to download. Here are some of the highlights.
Streaming growth boosts R&B/hip-hop share of global recorded-music sales
The return to growth for the recorded-music industry has brought with it an interesting shift in sales patterns for the different musical genres. A number of national trade associations’ year-end summaries of music sales have shown that certain genres have received a sizable boost from the change in consumers’ consumption patterns, while others have suffered a decline. R&B/hip-hop in particular has benefited from the growth in streaming, with the genre’s share of global retail sales more than doubling in just five years. Music & Copyright has analyzed global genre sales to see just how the return to recorded-music good times has affected sales of the most popular music genres.
Music streamers extend their bundle options to maintain subscription growth
Music streamers are finding that bundling their offerings with other products can help them recruit paying customers. A good part of that activity has revolved around tie-ups with video-streaming services. More recently, the likes of Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Tidal have been pushing into new areas such as movies and books to generate interest in their subscription-based streaming offers. Expect more bundling activity from music streamers in sectors such as gaming, in-car entertainment, and audio equipment, although promotions may need to be bolder to really pay off.
TONO reports record year for collections and distributions
Norwegian authors’ society TONO has reported a record year for both collections and distributions. After a disappointing 2016 that failed to repeat the record-breaking year of 2015, total receipts in 2017 were boosted by growth in all the main collection sources. Digital registered the highest year-on-year increase, but there were notable rises in collections from broadcast retransmission, live concerts, cinema, and overseas. TONO noted that Norwegian music picked up considerable momentum abroad last year. Receipts from background music and casual music use also grew. Previously, the authors’ society had said the competition for customers in the background music segment had increased in recent years with providers of non-licensed music becoming more active. However, the level of competition lessened in 2017 and a new copyright act is set to clarify whether users of non-licensed services should be paying royalties.
Denmark country report
In addition to the usual set of music industry statistics and news briefs, the latest issue of Music & Copyright includes a detailed Denmark music industry report. Denmark is one of a small number of countries in Northern Europe that can be described as global leaders in the transition from music ownership to access. Although the country has a population of just 5.7 million and ranks in the lower part of the world’s top 20 music markets, the share of recorded-music sales from access services rivals most others. Streaming accounted for 85% of trade earnings from sales of physical and digital formats and services last year, and this share is expected to rise further as sales of physical formats and downloads fall away. UMG is the market share leader in Denmark, ahead of SME and WMG, enhancing its lead with a modest share rise. Royalty earnings collected by authors’ society KODA were boosted by retroactive TV collections that pushed the collection total above the DKK1bn mark for the first time. Performance rights society Gramex also reported a record year, and indications suggest Denmark’s live sector performed well in 2017.
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