ekip Policy Recommendations: Platformisation of the music industry
The fifth ekip Policy Lab explored the challenges related to a platformised music industry. Based on the discussions with and input from participants in the Policy Lab as well as further refinement in the Community Review Workshop and background research, a series of recommendations were developed.
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- ekip (2025)
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Platformisation is “the penetration of digital platforms’ economic, infrastructural, and governmental extensions into the cultural industries, as well as the organization of cultural practices of labor, creativity, and democracy” (Poell et al., 2022).
The platformisation of music has democratized distribution but flooded platforms with content, favoring major labels and leaving most artists struggling. Streaming has eroded middle-class earnings, while AI and algorithms often confine growth to national markets. Diversification into social audio, such as live audio discussions and community interactions, and short videos is growing, but sustainable revenue models remain a key challenge. Despite these challenges, data-driven insights and evolving platform services offer new opportunities for artists and labels.
The following policy directions address the structural challenges and emerging opportunities facing the European music ecosystem in the platform economy. Grounded in the outcomes of the 5th ekip Policy Lab and aligned with the vision of the European Music Ecosystem report (2025), these recommendations offer actionable steps to foster innovation, fairness, and sustainability. Ensuring fair treatment of artists also enables greater participation of a diverse range of artists in innovation processes, fostering inclusiveness and diversity, ultimately strengthening Europe’s competitiveness
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