The music industry over the last several years with the introduction of streaming services has changed drastically. Streaming services have affected musicians and artists income drastically because digital download sales have dropped and been traded in for subscriptions to companies that stream like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and Google Music. Streaming has become a normal thing for everyone because of the huge growth in smartphone use. This has allowed us access to all the music we could of ever wanted on the go without the hassle of picking only a specific amount allowed on your phone. Why have a few when you can have them all. This has made actual digital music sales drop while also making the creators the artists lose money because they get only a fraction of a penny from each individual play of their songs. The plus side to Streaming is that it gives artists the opportunity to receive exposure. Since there is so much music available for cheap people listen to more music and explore various artists. Artists don’t make much money off of digital downloads anyway’s. Majority of their income comes from performing live or advertising in music videos. What artists do is make themselves a brand and capitalize on that. Now the people who truly suffer because of streaming is songwriters. People mostly just assume that all singers or bands write their own songs, when in reality most of the top 100 songs aren’t written by the people who perform them. In the article “Music streaming demands new wave of licensing rules” it talks about the topic of songwriters making only “in the range of thousandths of a cent per play.” Since artists, producers, songwriters, and musicians make barely any money from streaming Jay Z and Kanye West plus several other artists and investors have invested in Tidal. Which is a new streaming service that supposedly gives the artists and songwriter more control in how much money they make from streams. The problem with the direction streaming is heading is that we have about a handful of streaming services to choose from and each of them are trying to differentiate themselves from each other by having exclusives on their service. One example of this is Kanye West released his seventh studio album “The Life Of Pablo” only on Tidal. This album alone has caused a huge influx of subscribers to Tidal, but what we have to realize is because of this model artists are going to start choosing sides and we the listeners will only be able to listen to certain artists from certain platforms. This will create a eventual divide and upset the listeners. Who knows how this will truly turn out in the future but as of right now it looks like a huge competition between who has the best exclusive music on their service.
Feb 26
Digital media & the Music industry
The music industry, like the rest of us, has been forced to change with the developments and succes of digital media. Some ways are more subtle than others, but it is change nonetheless.
While most of us are familiar with iPods and the glory that is downloading music, such luxury comes at a cost. The true victim is the music industry, which faces many legal and practical problems with this change in medium. Physical copies of music like CDs, tapes, and vinyls are closer and closer to being phased out. People just don’t buy them anymore. The popularity and usefulness of streaming sites have changed the game. Albums will continue to be made, and people will continue to listen, just in different ways. music artists are realziing this and are taking measures to adapt. But albums, like books, may have had their day. True fans will want copies for themselves, but the casual listener may not feel so inclined.Companies like Apple have seen the action and they want a piece. In 2014, they bought Beats headphones, which was a killer move. They rejuvenated their stake in digital music by integrating one of the most popular headphones manufacturers into their schemes.
The legal ramifications of this change have a huge effect on the creative minds and hands that go into making music. For the most part, music is made to be enjoyed, but also to be sold. But these days, that is not the preferred method. When streaming first became a thing, this caused problems, but new laws have been put in place to appease both sides. What once seemed like the worst thing to happen to the music industry, actually ushered in a new age of how we obtain and listen to it. I think most people prefer things this way. There will still be plenty more developments to keep us guessing.
Feb 26
Digital Media vs Music Industry
Rayshawn Parrilla
Over the years, the world of music has progressed due to the impact of new technology. Considering the format in which it’s displayed, music has transitioned from 8-track to cassettes, records to CD’s and now the biggest delivery content of them all; digital downloads. As we know, the music industry can be extremely competitive; however it’s no competition in a world of digital media. Digital media provides consumers with multiple technology services including Spotify, Beats, Apple Music etc; allowing them the opportunity to stream and download their music choice. Streaming music has dominantly become a trend including access that enables delivery through devices such as smart phones, computers and tablets. With music at your finger tips, digital media has changed the perception on how music is bought and delivered.
It is evident, streaming services is taking over the music industry. Technology is implanted in devices and online services, providing people with a broad range of entertaining their listening experience. Their features give customers’ unlimited access to listen to their favorite music or artist within amount of seconds. Features also include playlists for a particular mood as well as play back options. While new technology is rapidly progressing, more and more people are crossing over to digital media. People no longer go to your local store and buy music like they use too. CD’s, cassettes and records are considered obsolete. Streaming music is the new trend and has become more accessible to our new generation.
As many believe digital media will be the death of the music industry, artists such as Jay-z, Kanye West and much more, joined forces with streaming services “Tidal.” For a long period of time, artist felt they are in a losing battle with streaming services. With just a click of a button, their albums or music is downloaded, resulting to lost in sales. Tidal grants artist more right and control over their music as well as financial benefits. At first, artists were not complying with the idea of paying for streaming services. However, once sales began to drop, jumping on board was their only outlet in saving the music industry. As digital media revenues rise in the world of music, it will continue to have a major impact on the music industry.
Feb 26
Power of Music Streaming Services
Over the last decade many technology advancements have been created changing the way we listen and purchase music. In the past one would consume music through radio and the purchase of hard copy CD’s. In our current society people are traded the CD for the MP3. As record stores such as FYE began to close down streaming services begin to grow. Our culture of music is based through digital media. Streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and Apple have altered the way we consume music. In Jacob Kastrenakes article “Apple Music may not steal you from Spotify” he states that subscription services appear to be the future because it can reach out to most consumers. Kastrenakes states that Spotify and Apple give its consumers access to 30 millions songs and Tidal falls short to 25 million. A strategy that I noticed by these music streaming sites are doing is signing artist and exclusively streaming their music on their sites. For example in recent weeks of Kanye West exclusively release his Life of Pablo album under Tidal. In being co investor in Tidal he decided to decline the offer of releasing his album through Apple music. Since Kanye’s album release Tidal subscriptions have doubled in recent weeks. The future for these music-streaming services is to sign major artist and limit where there content can be streamed.
Feb 26
Digital media and how it’s affecting the music industry.
The World Wide Web has taken over the world and everything in it. Since digital media has taken over, it has placed a heavy hold on how the music industry operates now. With now advanced digital media coming into play, the music industry has lost many sales in the CD department seeing as nobody has the use to purchase them because everything can now be downloaded and stored onto your electronic device with ease. Today, mostly any song that comes to your mind, you will be able to find on the internet. With websites like Pandora, Spotify, Apple music, etc…It makes the General music industry hard to compete with these sites as they provide music freely to the public, or for a small month fee.
A very cool feature that I find that spottily has to offer, is if you have their premium plan, you’re allowed to listen to their music without ads and offline mode. So if you don’t have internet it won’t be a problem to listen to your music. File sharing plays a huge part that is affecting the music industry, which we have Programs like Napster and LimeWire, to thank for. It has opened the doors for many music apps today, to make sharing music more legal and more faster as we all know that when LimeWire was popular, it use to take hours sometimes a day for music to download
.With technology being so advanced, it makes it easy for music artist, to pay attention to their fans wants and needs. It is so easy for musicians to leak their own album on the web rather than having to wait for the music industry input before they release it, which makes them loose out on money. Social Media has played a part in the changing music world as viral videos and other social sites impact the music industry.
Feb 26
Music and streaming services
How is digital media changing the music industry?
In this day of age, it seems as if in order to hear good quality music..we are obligated to subscribe to a live streaming service. Not only are consumers feeling such transtions, but the artist themselves are obligated to conform to the corporatocracy of digital media among the music industry.
In the article “Apple to Pay $3 Billion to Buy Beats”, we are given a glimpse of the power of digital media through the lens of apple. The fact that they had an interest towards devices other than their own, shows that possibly in the near future..we may be obligated to purchase a device in order to listen to music.
In the article “Music streaming demands new wave of licensing rules,” we are presented with the drawbacks found within music streaming as stated; “But as more and more listeners substitute streaming for buying music, the result is that songwriters go virtually unpaid.” as convenient as the services we are subscribed to may be..ultimately they are not regulated as they should be. Artists are not getting the recognition and respect that they deserve.
Feb 26
Class 4: To Stream or To Purchase? That is the real question
“Apple to Pay $3 Billion to Buy Beats”: Apple initially changed the music industry with digital media by being the first to sell albums and singles online. I’ve personally purchased from iTunes since its introduction. I’m a HUGE music lover, so when the first generation iPod came out I couldn’t wait to fill it. I now have over 20,000 songs in my iTunes library. I have a sixth generation iPod, 160 gb, (I believe that is the last one). I used to carry it with me on trips and in my car, but now that Apple Music was born, its not needed.
Apple Music was brought about to compete with Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, iHeart Radio, etc… Apple Music is a good idea and I get the concept, yet it’s frustrating to know that if I don’t pay the monthly subscription, then whatever I downloaded into my library will go away. I think that they should let people keep what they have already downloaded once they paid for the month. Fellow music junkies would agree! Now it’s all about downloading songs straight to your phone.
The acquisition of Dre Beats was a great move for Apple. Not only were they thinking outside the box, but they are trying to keep it fresh for their customers. Adding a music executive and a world renowned rapper/DJ/producer to your team is genius. Who knows more about the aspects of music than these guys? They will lend Apple a plethora of innovative ways to make Apple stand out once again.
Apple has always been the number one contender in the music field, yet streaming hasn’t been its strong suit. Not to say it let, but they weren’t focused on streaming as much as other companies. In the article “Apple Music May Not Steal You from Spotify, but it Can Still Win the Streaming Battle,” it clearly points out that Spotify has been “winning” since its inception. Since Apple has more money and connections than a majority of the other companies, they rely on undercutting the competition. They might be in for a fight now though, because they can’t seem to find a way to get rid of Spotify. Being as how they have just entered the streaming market, they are still trying to find their rhythm. I agree with the author when he says “It’s hard to distinguish the same catalog of songs.” If all the companies have the same albums and artists how do we as consumers choose? I can only answer for myself when I say that I choose convenience and less ads. Since I’m team iPhone, it’s a no brainer that I would just stay with Apple Music.
There is no more waiting. The content delivery system these days is all about efficiency and speed. There are still major issues that music artists are having with licensing, as stated in the article “Music Streaming Demands New Wave of Licensing Rules”. Artists are happy to have their music streaming and listened to by more fans and customers than ever before, but they are paying the price..literally. Artists are hardly making any money from steaming. Outdated laws and regulations are breaking artists pockets. It’s a major reason why musicians/performers get into clothing, fragrances, liquor, etc. so they have another means of income.
In reading this article I was unaware that they barely get paid for concerts. Out of all the people that have attended concerts, I find it unbelievable that they make such a small profit.
All three articles were very informative. It has made me look at artists’ struggles in a different way. Now I understand why they are so controversial about awards shows and things of that nature. True performers love what they do and you can tell that they do it for the people.
Feb 26
How is digital media changing the music industry?
First off, it has changed the way we purchase music. I could sit here and say that in general people do not purchase cd’s, tapes, or vinyl anymore but it is deeper than that. You have companies like apple that are making deals with artists in a way to get that “cool factor.” I know we are talking strictly music here but who can’t wait for beats to be the speaker used in the newest upcoming Apple products? Everywhere you look you have music subscription opportunities and consumers want to get the biggest bang for their buck. I download ALL of my music for free but one thing that Im not a fan of is that I have to send it to iTunes and then connect my phone and drag the file over. With these streaming services you don’t have to go through that and that is a plus for me. Even though I am sitting back waiting for the best subscription from a company that is free of all the kinks and bugs facing their service, I will probably end up using Apple music due to the fact I have an iPhone and the feature is just one click away. Spotify has more of a social factor with their program that I believe soon every company should develop and will develop. I think Apple is going to always be at the forefront with pretty much whatever they venture into, the first thing any of these companies needed to do was get connected into the music industry so low and behold Apple inks a deal with Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre. Jimmy already knows what the people want and Dr. Dre as the face or name is solid enough. I have started seeing ads for Beats Radio, and I am interested to see what this is going to be about since I have a background in radio I am curious to find out if this is going to rival sirius xm as far as internet radio is concerned.
Feb 26
Music Streaming
In Apple Music may not steal you from Spotify, but it can still win the streaming battle, this article talks about the battle between the steaming programs like apple stream and Spotify. I for one do not like apple stream, sure you get three months free but like the article said its not enough to really get into it because of all the music out there. Where as with Spotify it’s available everywhere, I have it on my PS4 and I love it. Spotify is like another version of Pandora, I have playlist I can search and follow and those playlist will introduce me to other artists that is in the same type of genre as the artist I wanted to listen to. But unlike pandora Spotify has actual playlist for not only genres but for moods. Say your in an up beat mood Spotify has a playlist to match, or if you went through a breakup Spotify has a playlist for that. I actually see Spotify growing more I popularity because it’s free and you have a wide range of artists that not only famous but are indie for the world to discover. Apple to Pay $3 Billion to Buy Beats is about Apple buying beats bye dr dre. I personally have never used the beats headphones so I don’t know if they are good quality headphones, but I’ve seen my father use them and he goes through a pair a week so to me it feels like the quality once they got with Apple went down hill. My dad really likes the beats headphones says that when they first came out he really loved them but now he noticed that the quality went down and that Apple is making them wear down faster to make people buy more. Now the new iPhone won’t have a headphone jack it will only be Bluetooth and the phone will only be compatible with the beats headphones, which to me screams trap.
Music streaming demands new wave of licensing rules talks about just that, how with the high demand for streaming companies have to find ways of making money.
Feb 26
Digital Media Changing the Music Industry
“Apple to Pay $3 Billion to Buy Beats” Apple partnering up with Beats may be the biggest thing to come for a music streaming service. Both companies Apple and Beats have a huge fan base and hype around them. Both companies have great marketing skills. For example, Beats chooses top tier athletes to represent their headphones, athletes like Lebron James, Russell Wilson, Cameron Newton, and more. “Mr. Cook said Dr. Dre, born Andre Young, and Mr. Iovine would work with Apple on the next generation of music offerings but declined to share details about future products.” As you can see the best is yet to come. They plan on being the biggest of them all. They really might show out with something spectacular and shock the world.
“Music streaming demands new wave of licensing rules” This article speaks on the rights of an artist and them not receiving the credit they deserve. Tidal the fairly new streaming service owned by Jay Z, gives more credential to the artist and lets artists have more control over their music. For example, Kanye West recently has released an album but had only released it on Tidal for the Tidal streamers only and that is it. No other streaming website has access to it, not even Apple music. In fact, there won’t even be any physical copies to the album. So that shows a lot on how much digital media is changing the music industry and what kind of new changes are happening.
“Apple Music may not steal you from Spotify, but it can still win the streaming battle” This article is based upon what Apple music can do to stay relevant in the streaming business. They need to surprise everyone and do something that will surprise everyone. They need to come up with the unexpected. Digital media is having huge roles in today’s music and it will only become greater.