Evidence session: Economics of music streaming

17 February 2021 - Press release

Tuesday 23 February, 15.15 

Watch LIVE on parliamentlive.tv 

 

Spotify, Apple and Amazon to face questions from MPs in music streaming inquiry 

Senior executives from streaming platforms Spotify, Apple and Amazon appear before MPs next week in the final session of the economics of music streaming inquiry.  

The session is expected to focus on streaming revenues, alternative business models, the relationship with the music industry and how listener data is used. It will also consider how platforms respond to competition from online platform YouTube, which gave evidence earlier this month. 

Digital and Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage will also appear before MPs who are likely to raise protection for copyright in light of the Government’s decision not to proceed with a UK equivalent to the EU Copyright Directive. 

MPs are considering issues underlying the production and licensing of streamed music which have led to calls for a review of the distribution of streaming revenues in a more equitable way.  

The inquiry has heard from the UK’s independent music sector while an earlier session took evidence from senior executives of major record labels Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music.  

Artists and performers who have given evidence include songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers in the second session, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, Elbow’s Guy Garvey and soloist Nadine Shah at the first hearing.  

In December, Committee Chair Julian Knight released a statement concerning potential witnesses who might be deterred from coming forward because of fears that action would be taken against them.

 

Witnesses, 15.15: 

·         Horacio Gutierrez, Head of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, Spotify 

·         Elena Segal, Global Senior Director of Music Publishing, Apple Inc 

·         Paul Firth, Director of International Music, Amazon  

 

From approx. 16.30: 

·         Caroline  Dinenage  MP, Minister for Digital and Culture, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 

·         Robert  Specterman-Green, Director of Media and Creative Industries, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport 

·         Adam Williams, Interim Director, Copyright and Enforcement Directorate, Intellectual Property Office