Policy Areas Platformisation of the Music Industry

Platformisation of the Music Industry

Platformisation is “the penetration of digital platforms’ economic, infrastructural and governmental extensions into the cultural industries, as well as the organisation of cultural practices of labour, creativity and democracy” (Poell et al., 2022).

The platformisation of music has democratised distribution but has also flooded platforms with content, favouring major labels and leaving most artists struggling to be visible. Streaming has eroded middle-class earnings, while AI and algorithms often confine audience growth to national markets. Diversification into social audio such as live audio discussions, community interactions and short-form video is increasing, yet sustainable revenue models remain a central challenge. Despite these pressures, data-driven insights and evolving platform services continue to offer new opportunities for artists, independent creators and labels within the music innovation ecosystem.

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