Frederik Juul Jensen, 2026,: Payment systems and priorities: artists’ fragmented perspectives on music streaming reforms, Information, Communication & Society, DOI: 10.1080/1369118X.2026.2645881
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369118X.2026.2645881
Résumé : The debate around alternative payment systems on music streaming has been active for over a decade but it was not until 2024 that the platforms Spotify and Deezer announced their first changes to the widely used pro rata payment system. However, it has been questioned whether any artists were included in the decision-making process and if they would support those changes. This study explores artists’ opinions on the pro rata payment system and the alternatives beyond the recent modifications. Through in-depth interviews, the paper reveals artists’ previously unknown diverse and conflicting perspectives on system changes and shows why payment reform is typically a low priority relative to other career concerns. A central barrier to participation is limited knowledge and opacity surrounding payout mechanics and contracts. However, there are still incentives for the industry to change the system, even though none of the alternatives would significantly improve artists’ earnings. The paper offers practical insights to guide policymakers and industry stakeholders in the continuing streaming remuneration debate.