Music Streaming: From Licenses to Playback Quality
Music Streaming: From Licenses to Playback Quality Music streaming rests on two pillars: licenses that let services play tracks and the technology that delivers crisp sound to your device. Without clear rights, catalogs stay small and prices rise. Without good encoding and delivery, even a big library can feel flat or choppy. Rights holders, labels, and publishers grant licenses covering public performance and distribution, while platforms negotiate terms that fit catalog size, licensing costs, and user expectations. This balance works best when rights and tech align: a broad catalog needs smart encoding, and great playback relies on stable delivery. Publishers and PROs also collect royalties to support creators, which keeps the ecosystem fair and sustainable. ...