Last month, an agreement was announced between French streaming company Deezer and Universal Music Group (UMG) to introduce a new payment model. Once the champions of their version of a ‘User-Centric Model’, Deezer will offer from October a new system of revenue allocation they are calling an ‘Artist Centric Model’.

As active participants in the debate on streaming and keen early adopters of innovative business models, the independent music community has actively reacted to the announcement. The streaming manipulation provisions were welcomed as a step in the right direction, with mixed views on the proposals to reallocate revenues. Concerns were expressed about the way the deal was struck between two operators without wider consultation.