Why Some Music Platforms Restrict Access by Region

Are you getting a message saying "This content is not available in your region"? We understand how frustrating it will be in today's digital age when everything feels borderless. The truth is that not everything is available everywhere, and music is no exception. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more offer you different music choices in different countries.

They restrict access based on geographical area. But why? There are many reasons why some music platforms restrict access by region. In this article, we have discussed some of them. Take a look!

Licensing and Copyright Variations

First, you need to understand that music ownership is not global or universal. For every song, album, or soundtrack, there are copyright laws that vary by region and can't be sold worldwide. A music label, for example, might sell streaming rights in North America but not South Asia or Africa. One distributor may hold rights in  Europe, but a separate label controls the same music in Latin America.

And, the music platforms can only legally stream music if they have the rights to do so in your region; most songs are unavailable in unapproved territories. The good news is that you can listen to region-restricted music with a trusted VPN like ExpressVPN. It spoofs your current location and changes to a location where the music you want to listen to is not restricted.

Royalty Structures and Payment Models

Streaming services do pay royalties when people listen to songs on their platform, but the system by which they are compensated varies greatly from country to country. In some nations, rates  are simply higher, while others utilize government-based royalty pools or telecom-embedded payment methods. For a music platform, the key is that it makes enough money from a  region to cover royalty costs. If the payout cost cuts into profit, there will be less availability of all tracks, including Christmas songs, so that companies don't lose money.

Diverse Monetization Models

Music platforms make money from consumers  in different ways. In Europe and North America, streaming services make a handsome profit  from premium subscriptions and advertising. Cheap mobile data plans and telecom bundles in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, for instance, have turned low-cost subscriptions into the norm.

Due to differences in revenue models, music companies offer  only as much catalog as they can profitably sustain in the market. The result? Music access varies from region to region.

Government Censorship and Cultural Policies

What citizens are able to stream is restricted in many countries due to government censorship. For instance, in some countries Cardi B songs are open, and in some there are restrictions on some titles. Songs with political, religious, and explicit content are frequently warned for censorship rules. In some countries, entire music catalogs are blocked if they include themes that do not align with national policies or a nation's values.

In some regions, political criticism, LGBTQ+ content, complicit language, or religious references within lyrics could result in limitations. To avoid running afoul of national regulations, the platforms often add limits or remove some content, rather than edit each song individually. Even whole genres, albums, or artists can be unavailable in certain regions.

Exclusive Content and Market Competition

Streaming services battle ferociously, with exclusivity as one of the chief business weapons. Some companies make deals for exclusive rights to stream specific artists, albums, or music labels in certain regions. Telecom operators also buy rights to local music for packages with local providers, keeping content shrink-wrapped inside the walls of their network.

Domestic streaming companies also tend to lock down rights to regional music first, making it difficult for international platforms to compete. That is why a song might be available on Spotify in one country and Apple Music in another, or be an exclusive of a local app. These limitations are not technological; they are strategic.

Future of Regional Music Boundaries

While randomly banned regions still remain, the streaming industry is clearly changing. Music licensing agreements and digital payment systems are growing globally. In the future, you can witness more access to music in your region. In case there is any condition that allows you to not listen to the music, you can use a VPN. Make sure to use the best and reliable VPN available in your country.