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Did You See the News? MPs Join the Fix Streaming Call

MPs from the Labour, Conservative and Scottish National parties joined the collective call to fix streaming this summer.

Published: 13 August 2021 | 4:57 PM Updated: 25 March 2022 | 3:34 PM
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The music streaming inquiry report comes after more than a year of campaigning by the MU with our Fix Streaming partners The Ivors Academy. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee is calling for a “complete reset” of music streaming to make it fairer. Their recommendations back our key asks to fix streaming and keep music alive.

News of the revolutionary report made BBC News, The Guardian, Sky News, ITV News, NME, The Financial Times, Variety, Clash, BBC Radio 4 Today, The Telegraph, Rolling Stone, The I and many more.

MU members creating change

The music streaming inquiry report comes after more than a year of campaigning by the MU with our Fix Streaming partners The Ivors Academy, and alongside Broken Record led by MU member Tom Gray, with over 18,000 signatures on our petition calling for a Government review.

It is the result of nine months of research by the Select Committee – you may have submitted your own evidence using the MU guide to giving evidence, emailed the committee in support of the MU’s submission, or enjoyed one of the many evidence sessions live streamed during the pandemic.

Highlights of these evidence sessions include appearances by Nadine Shah, Guy Garvey, Chic legend Nile Rodgers, Fiona Bevan, and MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge. One notable session saw MPs interrogate representatives of the major labels – whose responses were lackadaisical at best.

Together we can fix streaming

Another moment that hit the headlines was the open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson – signed by over 150 artists at first, with over 75 more adding their name to the Fix Streaming call.

The 227 signatories include The Rolling Stones, Annie Lennox, Laura Mvula, Paloma Faith, Kano, Joan Armatrading, Chris Martin, Sir Paul McCartney, Melanie C, Rebecca Ferguson, Jimmy Page, Boy George, Noel Gallagher, Kate Bush, Alt J, Lily Allen, Beverley Knight, The Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, and Sting.

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The MU Returns to Great Escape Festival 2024

As part of our work with the Council of Music Makers, the MU will be taking part in various panel events during the festival’s industry conference, which is being held 15 - 18 May in Brighton. Some of our Officers will also be available for one-to-ones for any members attending.

Published: 23 April 2024

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