TikTok’s New Music Streaming Platform Could Be Huge For The Music Industry

Yesterday, exciting news emerged in the music industry as TikTok officially announced the launch of its new streaming music service, TikTok Music. With access to millions of songs and unique features not available on competitors like Spotify and Apple
AAPL
Music, TikTok Music has the potential to make a massive impact on the music industry. Although initially available only in Indonesia and Brazil, the platform’s ability to generate revenue could be paramount to its success and make it a quick power player in the business.

TikTok Music is launching as a premium-only service, requiring users to pay for access. This differs from platforms like Spotify and YouTube, which offer free access with advertisements. While ad-supported platforms bring in millions of dollars, the value of streams from these types of accounts is not as high for companies like Spotify. Paid subscriptions inject more money into the music industry, which is why the industry has championed these higher-paying options and highlighted their value.

Revenue from paid music streaming subscriptions exceeded $10 billion in the United States alone in 2022, according to information shared by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). This milestone marked a significant achievement, and industry experts anticipate further growth in the coming years as more people subscribe to these services. Paid subscriptions are responsible for an incredible 77% of all revenue generated by streaming, constituting nearly two-thirds of the industry’s overall revenue. This is especially crucial as sales and other forms of consumption have significantly declined in recent years.

The launch of TikTok Music with its paid subscriptions is a positive development for the industry. The additional revenue generated will continue to revitalize the business of music, which had faced dire circumstances before the advent of platforms like Spotify. While it is too early to predict how many users will sign up for TikTok Music, every person who does will contribute to the music industry by bringing in new money.

The introduction of TikTok Music presents an exciting opportunity for artists, record labels, and the entire music ecosystem. By providing a platform that combines the immense popularity of TikTok with the revenue potential of paid music streaming, TikTok Music has the potential to reshape the industry, or at least continue the upward swing it has been enjoying for some time now.