Let’s be clear: from Spotify to Pandora, streamed music is killing downloads, and that’s bad for artists and music lovers.
The opposition between art and commerce has been a defining feature of the history of pop music. The countercultural rebellion of the 1960s, to take perhaps the most poignant illustration, was one fully permeated by romantic ideology, by a faith in the possibility of authentic art. The Beatles, the Stones, Dylan and The Doors were never simply performers but artists.
Article by Anthony Elliot
Also, just in from a Billboard article by Ed Sheeran, "The only big number owned by music purchases is revenue. Purchases accounted for about $3.8 billion in trade revenue in 2013. Streaming — webcasting and on-demand subscription services — accounted for about $925 million."
If you want an Australian viewpoint,
"According to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) annual Australian Entertainment and Media Outlook report, the entertainment and media market will grow by 18% to be valued at $40 billion in 2018.
The establishment and growth of international digital companies like Spotify and Beats Music will contribute to the music market’s growth. Australia’s digital sector will undergo the biggest boost, from $498 million in 2013 to $658 million in 2018." READ MORE
So in perspective, streaming is just a drop in the revenue bucket, lets hope it doesn't erode downloads.
