MUSIC BUSINESS RESOURCES FROM CMU
Music Industry Overview
CMU’s Chris Cooke provides an overview of the music industry, explaining how each key strand of the business operates, and how they all fit together.
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY | READ
The music industry consists of people and companies that help music-makers – including frontline artists and those music-makers who work more behind-the-scenes – to make money out of their music making. It’s as simple as that.
MUSIC RIGHTS | READ
Copyright is a legal concept that exists in most countries and which gives creative people control over the outputs of their creativity. Music rights include the distinct copyright in songs and recordings.
THE RECORD INDUSTRY | READ
The record industry is the strand of the wider music industry that works with frontline artists on creating, releasing, distributing and marketing recorded music, and managing and monetising the sound recording copyrights.
MUSIC PUBLISHING | READ
The music publishing sector is the strand of the wider music industry focused on the management and monetisation of song rights, working with songwriters and composers to create and exploit songs and compositions.
THE STREAMING BUSINESS | READ
Music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer are the biggest revenue generator for the recorded music sector. They operate a revenue share based on consumption share business model.
LIVE MUSIC | READ
The live music sector is the strand of the wider music industry that stages shows, tours and festivals; runs venues; sells tickets; and works with frontline artists on monetising their live performances and touring activity.
DIRECT-TO-FAN | READ
The direct-to-fan business is the newest strand of the wider music industry, focused on helping artists to better monetise the fan relationship through artist stores and by offering premium digital content and experiences.
MUSIC MARKETING | READ
For frontline artists to have successful careers they need to find an audience for their music. Various business partners across the music industry will help with this fanbase building process, although the artist usually kickstarts the process themselves.