How iTunes Saved The Music Industry

The digital revolution in music didn't just change how we listen; it upended the entire industry. From the chaos of piracy and industry decline in the early 2000s to Apple's game-changing iTunes, and now to the streaming era, one thing is clear: the business has never been more unpredictable or more exciting. In this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Shachner sits down with industry veteran Thomas Hesse to walk through the seismic shifts that transformed music from physical to digital to AI. You'll discover how the industry responded to piracy with innovative licensing models, the strategic dance with Apple to launch iTunes with the industry on board, and the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify that redefined access versus ownership. Thomas shares behind-the-scenes stories of negotiating with tech giants, and reveals how the industry’s revenue models changed, from the 99-cent song to subscription ecosystems that keep the industry alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices