Part 14/19:
He reflects on the stark reality that traditional media outlets—radio, TV—have less influence, while algorithms and streaming services dictate listening habits. His experience with Spotify revealed the surprising prominence of "lean-back" listening modes—background playlists that generate millions of streams with little listener interaction, often translating into negligible revenue for artists.
Wilson observes that the widespread prevalence of MP3s and compressed streams seems paradoxical, considering the capacity for high-resolution audio. Yet, streaming's convenience and widespread adoption ensure that digital consumption remains dominant, making it crucial for artists to adapt differently from the era of physical sales.