Consolidated recording catalogs let the Big 3 dominate streaming platforms

Evidence

A central strategy the Big 3 recording cartel utilizes is leveraging their catalogs of recording copyrights in licensing negotiations with on-demand subscription platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, Vevo, Tidal, Deezer, and other companies that require access to major-label catalogs to function. … A generation of young consumers that came of age sharing MP3s and amassing large collections on iPods and other devices certainly contributed to this consumer behavior, but if one considers the political-economic implications of near total catalogs, and the opportunities for market domination that arise when catalogs have been consolidated, then the Big 3 labels have much to gain from such a minimally competitive market. — Andrew deWaard, Derivative Media, 205

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s core project: catalog ownership as an infrastructure lever — parallels the Hollywood windowing system and the film industry chapter.