Piracy remains the biggest challenge for music streaming platforms in MENA, despite growing competition in the sector, according to global firm Spotify.
It launched in the MENA region one month after French rival Deezer expanded to the region following a $266 million investment from Al Waleed Bin Talal through his wholly-owned subsidiary and largest record label in the region, Rotana Music.
Other competition includes Beirut-born streaming platform Anghami, which launched in 2012 and held the majority of the market share up until this year.
But speaking to Arabian Business, Spotify’s managing director of MEA Claudius Boller said the illegal consumption of music is the company’s main concern.
“Of course we look at competition, but our biggest challenge by far is piracy. It is a serious concern… But Spotify is an amazing alternative to piracy. It gives you access to music anywhere in world as well as music recommendations, which is something that piracy can’t offer,” he said.
Boller said while it will take time to convince consumers to switch to legal music streaming, reactions to Spotify in the region have been positive. More
By L. Hamdan arabianbusiness.com
