Sustainable Monetization Models in Global Music Enterprises: Challenges, Innovations, and a Triadic Framework for Long-Term Resilience

Abstract

In 2023, the global recorded music industry reached US$28.6 billion, with streaming generating 67.3% of revenues (US$19.3 billion) (IFPI, 2024). Even though recorded music revenue has seen a 10.2% growth and registered nine years of consecutive growth, the future of sustainability of the vast majority of enterprises is at risk due to extreme revenue concentration, falling royalties per stream, algorithmic suppression of independents, and inequality in value distribution. This article uses abductive reasoning and draws upon insights from 38 peer-reviewed studies, dissertations, industry reports, and policy papers that present empirical data and concrete examples. The research provides a novel concept called the Sustainable Music Monetization Triangle, which consists of economic diversification, technological transparency, and disintermediation, and socio-policy equity. Hybrid, blockchain, and other models prove to achieve resilience only with the strategic alignment of all three pillars in the Sustainable Music Monetization Triangle.