Streaming platforms are facing fresh pressure over how music royalties are calculated and paid, as more artists and independent labels call for better transparency.
Creators say it’s becoming harder to understand where money is coming from, how deductions work, and why payouts can differ between platforms.
What’s happening
Over the past year, the debate around streaming economics has grown louder — especially among independent artists who rely on consistent payouts to fund releases, artwork, marketing, and touring.
Some industry voices argue that streaming has made music more accessible than ever, but others say the system still doesn’t reward creators fairly at smaller and mid-level scale.
Why it matters
For many artists, streaming is their main income source. When reporting is unclear, it becomes difficult to plan releases, set budgets, or calculate splits with collaborators.
Labels also say the lack of standard reporting across platforms creates confusion for accounting and royalty statements.
What could change next
Industry groups are pushing for clearer payout breakdowns, standardised reporting formats, and stronger rules around how royalty policies are communicated to artists.
While no single change will fix everything, many agree that better transparency would be a big first step.
We’ll keep tracking updates as platforms respond and new policy proposals appear.