YouTube's $1 Billion Royalties Are Not Enough, Says Music Industry (bbc.com)

YouTube said Tuesday that it has paid the music industry over one billion dollars in advertising revenue in the past 12 months. The music industry thinks that sum is not enough. From a report on BBC: "Google has issued more unexplained numbers on what it claims YouTube pays the music industry," said a spokesperson for the global music body, the IFPI. "The announcement gives little reason to celebrate, however. With 800 million music users worldwide, YouTube is generating revenues of just over $1 per user for the entire year. "This pales in comparison to the revenue generated by other services, ranging from Apple to Deezer to Spotify. For example, in 2015 Spotify alone paid record labels some $2bn, equivalent to an estimated $18 per user." In his blog post, Mr Kyncl conceded that the current model was not perfect, arguing: "There is a lot of work that must be done by YouTube and the industry as a whole. "But we are excited to see the momentum," he added.

Comments

Re:Here's an idea

[Baloroth]

Except the RIAA doesn't do any of that. The RIAA does not do marketing, the record company itself does. RIAA doesn't sign artists, and it doesn't pay artists. Mostly, what the RIAA does is lobby the government, sue people, and desperately try to stay relevant.