Online platforms to face questions in music streaming inquiry

08 February 2021 - Press release

Evidence session: Economics of music streaming

Wednesday 10 February, 14.30

Watch LIVE on parliamentlive.tv

• Please note there is no access to Parliament   
• Session will have remote participation by witnesses and Committee members  
   

Online platforms YouTube, Twitch and SoundCloud to face questions from MPs

In its fifth session in the economics of music streaming inquiry, the DCMS Committee will hear from online platforms that host user-generated content.

MPs will consider how artists, songwriters and producers can monetise their content and the extent to which platforms should be responsible for remunerating creators. Unlike SoundCloud, YouTube and Twitch also allow users to livestream music in addition to hosting user-generated content.

Trade bodies representing different areas of the music industry will also give evidence.

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 will take evidence from major platforms at a future session.

Last week the Committee 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, 14.30:

• Geoff Taylor, CEO, British Phonographic Industry Ltd 
• Roberto Neri, Chair, Music Publishers' Association

 

From approx. 15.15

• Horace Trubridge, General Secretary, Musicians' Union
• Graham Davies, Chief Executive, Ivors Academy of Music Creators

 

From approx. 16.00:

• Katherine Oyama, Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, YouTube
• Raoul Chatterjee, Vice President for Content Partnerships, SoundCloud
• Steve Bené, General Counsel, Twitch