logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2022
24m 14s

Is Spotify killing the music industry?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Not so long ago the music industry was threatened like it had never been before as online piracy tore into the profit margins of record labels the world over. Often hailed as the saviour, Spotify stepped in and offered audiences a new way of enjoying their favourite artists and without the need to illegally download pirated material. Despite this, musical artists are becoming increasingly vocal about how difficult it is to make a living from streaming, all whilst record labels and Spotify are reporting huge profit margins.

This week, Tanya Beckett takes a closer at how online streaming services are affecting the music industry. Produced by: Chris Blake and Louise Clarke-Rowbotham Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

Up next
Jul 8
Can Brazil’s supercows feed the world?
Brazil’s Zebu cattle, or “supercows” are bred for size, strength, and meat quality. Every year the animals are showcased at ExpoZebu, Brazil’s premier cattle fair. These animals are preened, pampered, and prized, before being sold for millions for their genetic material. Zebu cat ... Show More
23 m
Jul 1
Does Trump care about Taiwan?
Ahead of last year’s US Presidential elections, Donald Trump was asked if he would defend China against Taiwan, he responded that Taiwan should pay the US for protection from China. Taiwan is a self-governing island, claimed by Beijing and whilst Taiwan is not formally recognised ... Show More
22m 58s
Jun 25
How crucial is the Strait of Hormuz to global oil supplies?
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important energy corridors in the world. It is the only sea route from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, it serves as the primary maritime route for oil exports from the Gulf. Any disruption to traffic through the strait would have i ... Show More
22m 59s
Recommended Episodes
May 2021
Episode 2: What has Spotify done to its music artists?
On this weeks episode of Zoe's Podcast we dive deep into the actions of spotify and the issues it caused to its artists as well as less mainstream creators. Do artists deserve proper compensation for their hard work producing music? What happened to Lady Gaga? tune in to find out ... Show More
16m 15s
Jan 2019
Mystery Music ‘Forced’ onto Streamers
At the start of October some users of a music-streaming platform found that their accounts were playing songs against their wishes. Artists like the Bergenulo Five and DJ Bruej were streamed thousands of times, with Spotify users claiming the music was forced onto them. Apart fro ... Show More
23m 43s
May 2021
Episode 2: What has spotify done to its music artists?
On this weeks episode of Zoe's Podcast we dive deep into the actions of spotify and the issues it caused to its artists as well as less mainstream creators. Do artists deserve proper compensation for their hard work producing music? What happened to Lady Gaga? tune in to find out ... Show More
16m 15s
Dec 2023
Spotify Is Screwed
Spotify is the world’s biggest music streamer, but rarely turns a profit and just cut 17 percent of its workforce. Its business model looks increasingly precarious. Thanks for listening to WIRED. Talk to you next time for more stories from WIRED.com and read this story here. 
5m 39s
Sep 2022
Best of Business Wars Daily | An Unfinished Song | 6
While music streaming platforms have exploded, many critics argue the status quo isn't working for artists. We're taking a deep dive into the music industry, exploring the relationship between artists, labels, fans and the internet. On this episode, we're joined by music journali ... Show More
39m 9s
Mar 2019
How Streaming Changed the Sound of Pop
Streaming hasn't just changed the way we listen to music, it's changed the way that pop music sounds. After years of losses due to the death of the CD and the rise of file sharing, the music industry has finally found a profitable business in streaming services. Streaming has ove ... Show More
36m 15s