Post 3: Regulation in the music industry

I needed to look at the regulation of music in the UK to properly understand how to conform to these regulations and allow my video to be broadcasted to the mass (in accord with the brief) and therefore reach mass appeal. Music in the UK is mainly self-regulated (with websites such as YouTube self-regulating), however, there are a few bodies that try and regulate it such as OFCOM and several laws that have been passed by the UK government.

OFCOM is based in the UK and regulates broadcasters. In particular, they ensure that no inappropriate content is released pre-watershed, and no content is released with excessive profanity or violent or offensive content. In particular, OFCOM regulates the BBC and radios under them, ensuring that all content released is appropriate.

Another regulator is the BBFC who creates age ratings for many different sites and products. Though they are most prominent in films, they have agreements with music and streaming services such as with Sony and YouTube. Sony has an agreement that any music video, that is not appropriate for those under 12, are required to have an age rating on them whilst YouTube age-restrict any video that is inappropriate for those under 18.

 Music has also made headlines in several ways such as the debate on drill, sexualisation of women in music videos and the pirating epidemic.

Both the debate on women and drill have been on whether it was done out of liberation and self-expression or whether or not it was inappropriate and glamorised a certain lifestyle or image.

Due to this debate, police have tried to crack down in drill due to the fact that many drill artists glamourise the idea of a lifestyle of crime and drugs. Regulation has also cracked down on sexualisation of women in music videos and the general societal view of the sexualisation of women has changed to deem it as wrong.

There has also been the issue of piracy in the music industry that has risen alongside the rising popularity and use of the Internet. The internet has allowed for music to be downloaded for free (illegally) through sites such as youtubetomp4converter and tubidy, therefore reducing the revenue artists and labels could claim. This prompted the Digital Economy Act in 2010 which forces Internet Service Providers to take more responsibility in tackling and dealing with copyright. Although piracy still occurs, it shows a step in trying to tackle it. Furthermore, the music industry also tackled the issue by reducing their CD prices and production and increasing the prices of tour tickets to make up for lost sales and ensure monetization.


Overall, I have taken these aspects into consideration for my artist. I have to make sure that my music video is appropriate and family-friendly in order to to have it able to broadcast to a mass audience. Furthermore, I need to create other merch and feature a tour page on my website. They will act as a means for my artist to make revenue in light of the piracy trend and maximise the profit made for Sony.