Researchers from the Oxford Internet Institute and the University of Groningen surveyed 1,200 musicians to analyze the music streaming economy outside traditional Western strongholds. The methodology specifically targeted creators in the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Korea, Brazil, and Chile to capture localized economic impacts. Findings expose a clear “streaming paradox” where artists universally recognize platform dependency for audience acquisition, yet report severe dissatisfaction with resulting financial yields. Notably, regional variations are significant, with 83% of Nigerian respondents reporting career improvements compared to less than half in the other surveyed nations.
This data underscores a critical vulnerability in the current global streaming infrastructure, where promotional utility heavily outweighs direct monetization. Furthermore, the respondents’ dismissal of AI as an immediate existential threat—citing its lack of authenticity and live applicability—suggests that economic reform of existing streaming models remains the primary strategic priority for the global creator class.
Curated by MusicResearch.com from Music Ally. Read the full article at: Report explores ‘streaming paradox’ for artists in five countries
