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# Streaming services are NOT underpaying artists, concludes new study
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/streaming-services-are-not-making-excessive-profits-concludes-study/
- Published: 2022-11-29T16:40:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-11-29T17:28:18.000Z
- Description: Spotify, other streaming music services, and the major record labels are not making excessive profits at the expense of artists, according to a new UK government study. It’s a conclusion. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2022/11/streaming-services-are-not-making-excessive-profits-co
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Indie Music, Major Labels, Music Business, Streaming, DIY musicians, music, music industry, Music Tech, musician, musicians, Spotify, streaming, UK, UK music, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 09:44

Spotify, other streaming music services, and the major record labels are not making excessive profits at the expense of artists, according to a new UK government study. It’s a conclusion that many struggling artists and independent labels will find disheartening.

While the study was of the UK music market, its implications are global.

The year-long investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority acknowledged the concerns of artists but claimed that government intervention in the market would not help.

### Who Wins?

#### **0.4% of artists accounted for 60% of streams**

The top 0.4% of artists accounted for 60% of all streams, leaving the remaining 99.6% of the 11 – 12 million artists on Spotify and other music streaming services to divide what’s left. A UK artist could expect to earn around £12,000 or $14,370 from 12 million streams in 2021, but less than 1% of artists achieve that level.

In addition to a few top artists, the real winners in the shift to music streaming were fans.

Prices for consumers fell by more than 20% between 2009 and 2021, according to the study, with some services also offering free ad-supported music streaming.

Deals for artists and songwriters are getting better, according to the report. Average royalty rates in major label deals have increased from 19.7% in 2012 to 23.3% in 2021, and the share of revenues going to songwriters and publishers increased from 8% in 2008 to 15% in 2021

Read the full report [here](https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/music-and-streaming-market-study?ref=hypebot.com).

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**Bruce Houghton* is the Founder and Editor of [Hypebot](https://www.hypebot.com/) and [MusicThinkTank](http://www.musicthinktank.com/?ref=hypebot.com), a Senior Advisor at [Bandsintown](https://www.bandsintown.com/?ref=hypebot.com), President of the[ Skyline Artists Agency](https://skylineonline.com/?ref=hypebot.com), and a professor for the [Berklee College Of Music](https://online.berklee.edu/courses/touring-101?ref=hypebot.com).*