The End of Passive Listening: Miquido Identifies Massive Market Gaps in Music & Entertainment with "Soundscapes of 2026" Report

Magdalena Narewska Content Specialist
18 May 2026
3 min read
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Data collected by Miquido for the Soundscapes of 2026 report shows that the music and entertainment market is entering a phase of deep transformation. While streaming hegemons still dominate, shifting user expectations are calling for new features and entirely new solutions that are either missing from the market or exist only in vestigial forms.

The rise of "AI slop" is causing users to react more strongly to the presence of artificial intelligence in streaming services, demanding transparent flagging and the ability to eliminate such content. At the same time, listeners increasingly understand the unfairness of the pro-rata system and are actively seeking alternatives. Directly supporting favorite creators has become a common practice, and the potential of the superfan segment is greater than ever before.

Key data from the report:

  • An average payout of $0.00318 per stream means a fan must play a track 1,572 times to buy an artist a single cup of coffee.
  • 77% of fans believe artists are underpaid, signaling a readiness to migrate to more ethical platforms.
  • AI-generated content already accounts for 34% of daily uploads, leading to a drastic dilution of the user experience.
  • Superfans demonstrate a willingness to pay $14.40 per month for platforms offering high personalization and transparency.
  • Implementing the Artist-Centric Payment System (ACPS) can double the remuneration for professional creators.

The Soundscapes of 2026 ebook was created as a comprehensive guide to the niches that will dominate the market in the coming years, covering superfan monetization, immersive audio, and authenticity verification. This report was authored by Miquido’s experts who, through close ties to the music and entertainment world and projects for brands like Warner Music Group, Abbey Road Studios, and Dolby, remain at the heart of the technological revolution to help you enter new market gaps.

Is your product strategy ready to pivot from mass-volume streaming toward technologies that build real value for the conscious listener?

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Written by:
Magdalena Narewska
Content Specialist As a content specialist at Miquido, I create impactful narratives that resonate with audiences and address real business challenges. Through engaging blogs, social media, and video content, I deliver value-driven solutions that empower clients to achieve their goals.
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