French President Emmanuel Macron has reignited the debate over payments for music streaming, voicing concerns about the fairness of the current model for artists.
in a recent interview typeMacron highlighted differences in how streaming platforms compensate musicians, suggesting the system may be “skewed” against artists with average followings.
“Today, singers are not being paid fairly through music streaming services,” Emmanuel Macron explain. “In the case of streaming, they decided to pay people who watch streams regularly. But in music, for example, they undervalued artists who had casual fans versus artists who were suddenly downloaded by a handful of young people within a few months. There will be considerable compensation.
The French leader’s comments reflect growing concerns in the music industry about the fairness of the streaming model. Recent changes to major platforms, e.g. Spotifyno longer pay royalties for tracks less than 1,000 Every year’s drama intensifies these discussions.
luminous 2023 Year-End Music Report disclose 158.6 million track received 1,000 A drop in playback on audio streaming services last year underscored the scale of the problem.
In response to these concerns, some services are moving to “artist-centric” payment models. with partners universal music group, DieselThe Paris-based streaming service launched a new system in France last October that offers higher royalties to artists who meet certain listening and streaming thresholds.
At the same time, Macron specifically mentioned the French singer Etienne genius and barbara he said as an example of artists he believes should earn more from streaming platforms. “For me, maybe I’d like to see a singer like Étienne Daho or Barbara Pravi in Taylor fastso that things won’t be all one-sided. Today’s streaming model is distorted,” he said.
“In the case of streaming, they decided to pay people who watch the stream regularly. But in music, for example, they undervalued various artists with casual followings.
Macron, President of France
The president’s comments come nine months after France implemented a new measure. 1.2% Tax on music streaming services operating in the country. The tax takes effect in early 2024 and applies to Spotify, Deezer, apple musicand Youtube musictargeting subscription and advertising revenue.
The tax is intended to fund National Music Center (CNM), a quasi-governmental organization that supports various French music initiatives. These include things like Music Creation Fund (flow cytometry), National Song Center, Variety and Jazz (CNV), Kalif,as well as french music export office.
senator Julian BagdonThose proposing the tax in 2023 describe it as a measure to protect French culture in an increasingly digital and globally influential music landscape.
Music streaming companies slam tax, ex-Deezer CEO Geronimo Folgueira, Describing it as “the worst possible outcome, it would be counterproductive and have a negative impact on the entire French music industry.”
After the tax was implemented, Spotify increased its subscription prices in France and began to “disinvest” in the French music industry, specifically canceling financial support for two music festivals. la rochelle franco folis and Bourges Spring.
Although the French president did not propose specific solutions in the interview, his comments suggested that the issue of fair pay in the streaming era remains a priority for his government.
The president’s latest comments also come as France takes the lead in drafting the bill. EU Artificial Intelligence Actthe first law regulating artificial intelligence. Macron told type “For better or worse, artificial intelligence will revolutionize many fields from health care to energy. It’s a race for innovation, so we have to be a part of it.
Macron highlights France’s role in shaping AI regulation and highlights upcoming Artificial Intelligence Action Summit February.
“The idea is to recognize technology and invest in it, but we also need rules and regulations. We need them, but they have to be global to be effective. Thinking has to be done at the right speed,” the president said.
global music business
