中国传媒大学-2019中国音乐人报告（英文版）85页_5mb

Summary of the Report on China’s Musicians (2019)

Core Content

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status of musicians in China, focusing on their professional characteristics, income situations, interactions with internet platforms, and challenges in the music industry. It highlights the role of musicians in the cultural industry and emphasizes the need for improved copyright awareness and industry support to foster sustainable development.

Main Points

1. General Situation of Musicians

• Demographics:

  • Musicians are predominantly young, with 84% under 30.
  • 82% are male, reflecting a gender imbalance common in the global music industry.
  • Residence Distribution:
    • Musicians are spread across various cities, with 46% living in third- and fourth-tier cities.
    • The concentration in first-tier cities is decreasing, indicating a shift in residency consciousness and the growth of regional music markets.

• Professional Characteristics:

  • Performance and Creation:
    • Over half (50%) of musicians identify as creators, including singer-songwriters and songwriters.
    • 60% identify as performers, primarily singers and singer-songwriters.
  • Full-time Musicians:
    • Only 10% of musicians are full-time, while 40% are students and 80% are part-time.
  • Music Styles:
    • Pop music dominates, accounting for the majority of music styles.
    • Folk, Hip-hop, and Electric styles are gradually developing, though not as prevalent as in the U.S.
  • New Musicians:
    • 62% of musicians have released their first single within the last year.
    • 80% have created fewer than 10 complete singles, showing a trend of rapid entry into the music field.

2. Income Situation

• Overall Income:

  • Nearly half (48%) of musicians earn less than 2,000 yuan per month.
  • 60% of musicians have seen an increase in income over the past five years.
  • Satisfaction with income is low, indicating a need for better financial support.

• Online Income:

  • Over half (55%) of musicians generate income from online platforms.
  • Tencent Music is the most significant platform for music revenue.
  • NetEase Cloud Music offers a "Cloud Bean" dividend tool, but its usage is limited.
  • Live streaming is a major source of income for 60% of musicians, with 18% relying mainly on it.

• Offline Income:

  • Performance income is generally low.
  • Live performance opportunities are concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
  • Subsequent revenue from performances needs improvement.

3. Musicians and Internet Platforms

• Streaming Media:

  • Music platforms are widely accepted and have become essential for musicians.
  • Platform algorithms play a key role in promotion and visibility.
  • Tencent is praised for its service quality, while NetEase Cloud Music is noted for its precision in targeting.
  • TikTok and Shrimp Music are emerging as important platforms with growing user bases.
  • Musicians have mixed views on the actual promotion effect of these platforms.

• Live Broadcasting:

  • Mixed reactions from musicians regarding live music, with some praising its potential and others criticizing its lack of professionalism.
  • Live streaming is increasingly popular, with 80% of musicians now engaging in it.
  • Quick Shoot and National Karaoke are notable for their high income and user numbers.
  • Only 20% of live musicians have signed agreements with guilds, indicating a lack of formal collaboration.

4. Copyright Awareness and Authorization

• Copyright Agency:

  • Only 30% of musicians have cooperated with copyright agencies.
  • Half of musicians are unaware of the business content they authorize.

• Collective Management Organizations:

  • 90% of musicians are not members of these organizations.
  • 80% are satisfied with the services provided by the music association.
  • 20% of members have an income over 10,000 yuan.

• Streaming Media Platforms:

  • 60% of musicians do not understand the license agreements of platforms.
  • Tencent is the most commonly accepted platform for cooperation.
  • Exclusive agreements are not widely adopted.
  • Musicians' dissatisfaction with unclear licensing terms is significant.

• Infringement Issues:

  • 40% of musicians have experienced music infringement.
  • Low copyright awareness and lack of education contribute to this issue.
  • Only 50% of musicians feel confident in defending their rights.
  • Internet platform rights assistance is the first choice for musicians facing infringement.

5. Challenges and Recommendations

• Challenges:

  • Low material guarantees for quality music.
  • Lack of effective industry organizations.
  • Limited performance opportunities in lower-tier cities.

• Recommendations:

  • Strengthen copyright education and improve the industrial environment.
  • Enhance audience education to build a good creative cycle.
  • Cultivate service talents to create a high-quality industrial ecology.

Key Information

• The music industry is a key component of the cultural industry, with rapid growth and increased copyright awareness.
• Streaming media has played a major role in promoting music and increasing income for musicians.
• Live streaming is becoming a major revenue source, though professionalism and legal agreements remain issues.
• Copyright education is urgent, as many musicians lack knowledge and face infringement.
• The music market has great potential for development, especially in payment rates and regional expansion.

Conclusion

The report underscores the vitality and potential of China’s music industry, while also highlighting challenges such as low income, limited performance opportunities, and poor copyright awareness. It calls for improved copyright education, better industry organization, and enhanced support for musicians to achieve sustainable and healthy development.