Digital transformation of the music industry: new business models, distribution, and music monetization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v9i20.3227Keywords:
Music Industry, Streaming, Platform Economy, Music Monetization, AlgorithmsAbstract
This study critically examines the digital transformation of the music industry, focusing on business models, distribution mechanisms, and monetization in the context of streaming. The research adopts a qualitative approach based on an integrative literature review, drawing on scientific articles published between 2015 and 2025 in international databases. The findings indicate that, although streaming has expanded access and driven market growth, it has also intensified concentration dynamics and value distribution asymmetries. Digital platforms play a central role in shaping industry governance, structuring visibility, consumption, and monetization through algorithmic systems. Furthermore, remuneration models based on scale and volume constrain the economic sustainability of most artists while reinforcing revenue concentration. The study concludes that digital transformation constitutes a tension-driven process between democratization and concentration, efficiency and inequality, requiring new analytical and regulatory approaches to foster a more balanced music ecosystem.
Downloads
References
ARENAL, Alberto; ARMUÑA, Cristina; RAMOS, Sergio; FEIJOO, Claudio; AGUADO, Juan-Miguel. Giants with feet of clay: the sustainability of the business models in music streaming services. Profesional de la Información, v. 31, n. 5, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2022.sep.09.
BERGANTIÑOS, Gustavo; MORENO-TERNERO, Juan D. Revenue sharing at music streaming platforms. 2023. Disponível em: https://consensus.app/papers/revenue-sharing-at-music-streaming-platforms-bergantios-moreno-ternero/cb5f75eb6e4157f0bc8a63e00a362bfa/?utm_source=chatgpt. Acesso em: 21 abr. 2026.
LEDOUX, Thomas. An approach to the impact on the market and music consumption after streaming technology. 2020. Disponível em: https://consensus.app/papers/an-approach-to-the-impact-on-the-market-and-music-ledoux/1a065e086c6a5a6fa60f26e5f3104fad/?utm_source=chatgpt. Acesso em: 21 abr. 2026.
MEYN, Janek; KANDZIORA, Michael; ALBERS, Sönke; CLEMENT, Michel. Consequences of platforms’ remuneration models for digital content: initial evidence and a research agenda for streaming services. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, v. 51, p. 114–131, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-022-00875-6.
MOKOENA, M.; OBAGBUWA, I. An analysis of artificial intelligence automation in digital music streaming platforms. 2025. Disponível em: https://consensus.app/papers/an-analysis-of-artificial-intelligence-automation-in-mokoena-obagbuwa/87e3dd9b4e1c52cea5b6db3a088e4729/?utm_source=chatgpt. Acesso em: 21 abr. 2026.
NAVEED, Khuram; WATANABE, Chihiro; NEITTAANMÄKI, Pekka. Co-evolution between streaming and live music leads a way to the sustainable growth of music industry. Technology in Society, v. 50, p. 1–19, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2017.03.005.
QU, Shuwen; HESMONDHALGH, David; XIAO, Jian. Music streaming platforms and self-releasing musicians: the case of China. Information, Communication & Society, v. 26, n. 4, p. 699–715, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2021.1971280.
RAMESH, S. The economics of music streaming: impact on artist compensation and industry structure in the digital era. Journal of Humanities, Music and Dance, v. 4, n. 6, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55529/jhmd.46.1.8.
TOWSE, Ruth. Dealing with digital: the economic organisation of streamed music. Media, Culture & Society, v. 42, n. 7-8, p. 1461–1478, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443720919376.
VIDYADHARAN, V. Live performances and merchandise: a new revenue model for artists in the digital music industry. 2025. Disponível em: https://consensus.app/papers/live-performances-and-merchandise-a-new-revenue-model-vidyadharan/687bc6163ac75ef2806be1c886953e3d/?utm_source=chatgpt. Acesso em: 21 abr. 2026.
