A Spotify for… whatever
A cross-industrial comparison of streaming services
in the media industries
Terje Colbjørnsen | [email protected]
Department of media and communication | University of Oslo
Presentation for the 4th International Symposium on Media Innovations
Brussels, June 2nd 2015
Dual purpose of paper
• Analyzing the streaming discourse
– Why is the concept appealing to producers and
consumers?
– Streaming as a buzzword (Mjøs, Moe & Sundet 2014) and
a form of sensemaking (Weick 1995)
• Analyzing streaming services in the media industries
– Cross-industrial overview
– Definition and categorization of media streaming
services
a media buzzword serves three important
functions: it simplifies a complex field,
promotes a phenomenon as something
new, and legitimates strategies and actions.
Thus, a media buzzword can be used
rhetorically to define a discursive frame
for new media developments.
Mjøs, Moe & Sundet: «The functions of
buzzwords», First Monday 2014
On the one hand information wants to be
expensive, because it's so valuable. The right
information in the right place just changes your
life. On the other hand, information wants to
be free, because the cost of getting it out is
getting lower and lower all the time. So you
have these two fighting against each other
Stewart Brand, 1984
Water is free. Music is $6 but no one wants to
pay for music. You should drink free water from
the tap — it’s a beautiful thing. And if you want
to hear the most beautiful song, then support
the artist.
Jay Z, 2015
Cross-industrial overview
(work in progress)
Media industry
Streaming services
Music
Spotify, Rhapsody, Grooveshark, Deezer,
Wimp/Tidal, Beats Music, Google Play
Music / YouTube Music Key
Ebooks
Scribd, Oyster, Bookmate, Storytel,
Mofibo, Kindle Unlimited
Film andTV
Netflix, Hulu, HBO,YouTube, Amazon
Instant Video,Viaplay
Comics
Marvel Unlimited, Scribd
Magazines
Next Issue, Magzter, Flipp
News(papers)
Reuters TV, Beacon, Inkl
Computer games
OnLive, PlayStation Now
Financing
Paid
Advertising
financed
Universal
Content
profile
Spotify
Spotify free
premium
Backlist/exclusive
Netflix, HBO
YouTube, Hulu
Spotify and Netflix: Two distinct solutions
• “Spotify solution”: a universal or near-universal music
service with two a two-tier payment option (ad supported
and fixed rate).
• “Netflix solution”: a backlist and original content based
video service with a single-tier payment option (paid).
Towards a definition of streaming media services
• Is there one? Should there be one?
• The synchronized and simultaneous on-demand provision of
(a vast selection of) (multi)media content through an online
platform for a fixed fee or for exposure to advertising.
Thanks for your attention!
Terje Colbjørnsen
[email protected]
@terjecol