New Media

New Media is an umbrella term that is used to describe various forms of media that are delivered to consumers digitally. Although the term new media seems to encompass media sources that are exclusively “new” such as podcasts or blogs, new media includes contemporary variations of “old media” such as online newspapers. Music streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, are examples of new media that are revolutionising the way people access, engage with, and consume music. Prior to the existence of music streaming services, access to music was significantly more limited. When I first experienced music digitally, I remember using iTunes, a music streaming platform that allowed people to listen to music on their devices. Although iTunes was a revolutionary form of new media, it required people to pay for their music track by track. Because new media is constantly changing, it was no surprise when streaming platforms that aimed to be more cost effective began popping up. With a business model that allowed users pay for a subscription instead of a single track, music streaming services blew up. Now with a variety of music streaming services, a vast array of music has become accessible to more people than ever before.