In the News
Which is the biggest music streaming service on the web?
18th September 2016
I'm pretty sure if I ask this question in my economics class, then the answer will be Spotify! Indeed a quick show of hands a few days ago revealed that, not only did most students use Spotify regularly, the majority were now paid-up subscribers, joy to the ears of Spotify founder Daniel Elk!
But perhaps Spotify's near 40 million user base looks small compared to the number of listeners to music available on You Tube? I was really interested to come across this chart from Statista.
You will find more statistics at Statista
According to data released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), 82 percent of YouTube users utilize the platform to listen to music.
YouTube pays lower licensing fees to the music industry than services such as Spotify because it classifies itself as a hosting platform rather than a content distributing platform and a platform for aspiring/emerging musicians and bands to promote their music.
The research finds more than seven in 10 internet users aged 16-64 across four continents actively engage with licensed music: they purchase CDs and vinyl, they buy digital downloads, they listen on streaming services, and they watch music videos. In fact, nearly half of all internet users (48 per cent) have paid for music in some form in the last six months.
Key data for Spotify
Key data for You Tube
Geoff Riley
Geoff Riley FRSA has been teaching Economics for over thirty years. He has over twenty years experience as Head of Economics at leading schools. He writes extensively and is a contributor and presenter on CPD conferences in the UK and overseas.
You might also like
Streaming and the Music Industry
30th July 2015
FDI and LRAS: Microsoft to open UK data centres
10th November 2015
Cross Price Elasticity of Demand - Music Streaming Hits Album Sales
14th January 2016
Digitisation and the Future of Work
29th January 2016
World Bank Video on the Internet Economy
30th January 2016
Digitally Disrupted GDP
9th March 2016
The Digital Economy and Problems in Measuring GDP
12th April 2016
Contestable Markets: Amazon v You Tube
11th May 2016