It's Time to Fix Streaming

Together we can put the value of music back where it belongs – in your hands.

Streaming is the main means of music listening for many. But the law has not kept up with the pace of technological change. 

As a result, performers and songwriters are not paid fairly when their music is streamed. 

Record labels, streaming platforms and other internet giants have exploited musicians and songwriters without rewarding them fairly for too long. 

No artist should be making more from selling foot pics on OnlyFans than from 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify. 

That’s why we’re campaigning to fix streaming – and we’re closer than ever.  

Government is bringing together record labels and organisations representing music makers to negotiate a better deal for musicians and music creators.  

The group is called the Creator Remuneration Working Group and the Musicians’ Union has a seat at the negotiating table.  

We are calling for:   

1. A modern digital royalty rate for all featured artists from music streaming, no matter when their original deal was signed 
2. A rolling commitment to pay through on unrecouped balances on all record and publishing deals 
3. Guaranteed royalties for session players from music streaming for the first time ever, known as equitable remuneration 
4. A commitment to standardise support for those who work speculatively on sessions that are commissioned by record labels - not to be recoupable from artist income 
5. Rights of contract adjustment and rights reversion, so that music creators can renegotiate old deals after an agreed period instead of being tied to the same terms for life. 

We’re up against some powerful interest groups who will argue that streaming is working– but we have the community of music and fans on our side.

We’re up against some powerful interest groups who will argue that streaming is working– but we have the community of music and fans on our side. 

• What does the British public think of music streaming royalties? Watch and share this video on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube 
• Why does music streaming suck for non-featured artists? Watch our latest video on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube  
• Are you a non-featured artist? Share this explainer on WhatsApp or Facebook. 

Get the latest news on Fix Streaming

There is no doubt that getting a better deal will be a challenge; over half of the group is taken up by record labels and music publishers who don't want to see a fair reapportioning of revenue. 

But legislation is still on the cards if the Creator Remuneration Group can’t agree a better deal. And we know from the Brennan Bill that the fixing streaming has wide cross-party support. 

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