Indian Music Industry may be Disrupted by New Compliance Burdens: Survey

Nearly three-fourths (72%) of surveyed artists are extremely worried about possible new regulatory compliance requirements, according to a study by public policy think tank The Dialogue. They fear that these regulations could disrupt music output or delay releases.

According to the report, 77% of respondents are concerned that these regulations may make international collaborations more difficult. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) may introduce a new version of the Broadcast Bill to bring digital platforms, including OTT audio streaming, under a regulatory framework, even though the second version was withdrawn in August of last year.

As the industry already complies with the IT Rules 2021 for digital content governance, artists warn against adding more regulatory layers that could stifle growth.

A significant 82% of respondents believe that new compliance measures, such as pre-release scrutiny or adherence to prescribed standards, will limit musical diversity and stifle creative individuality. The overwhelming sentiment in the industry emphasizes the need for a flexible, balanced framework that encourages artistic innovation.

The Dialogue's founder, Kazim Rizvi, stated that India is experiencing an unprecedented musical renaissance. "The challenge now is to implement frameworks that protect and empower while ensuring compliance without compromising the dynamism that defines today's Indian music industry," he stated.

According to the study, 80% of artists anticipate financial strain as a result of compliance costs if pre-release scrutiny is required for online music streaming. Additionally, 75% are concerned about operational complexities that may impede creative expression.

According to the study, strategic interventions could help to drive industry expansion. While 51% of musicians emphasize the importance of lowering entry barriers and improving access to streaming platforms, 48% identify infrastructure gaps in India's live music ecosystem and suggest investment opportunities in performance venues and technical enablers.

With 46 crore daily streams and a projected industry revenue of Rs 3,700 crore by 2026, Indian music is at a tipping point. Digital platforms generate 87% of revenue, thanks to millions of paying subscribers. India is now the world's second-largest music streaming market, accounting for 14% of all global audio and video streams. However, regulatory uncertainty, piracy, and infrastructure deficits all pose threats to growth.

The survey includes a diverse range of musicians from regional, classical, folk, indie, hip-hop, and contemporary genres, with content in Hindi (69%), English (64%), and various regional languages (15%).