British authority to investigate competition in music streaming market

The UK Competition Authority will open an investigation into the state of the UK music market in relation to music streaming. The study should determine whether there is enough competition and innovation and whether consumer interests are sufficiently protected.

“In the past ten years, the music industry has evolved enormously, making it almost unrecognizable,” writes the authority. “More than eighty percent of all music listened to in the United Kingdom is delivered via streaming services. We want to use market research to determine whether there is still enough competition and whether action needs to be taken.”

In a letter to UK media, culture and innovation ministers, the head of the authority confirms that it makes sense to conduct a market study on the UK music market and in particular the impact of music streaming. The authority wants to check whether there is still enough competition and innovation on the market and whether consumer interests are sufficiently protected. In a next step, the research is prepared before it is finally started.