Examining bilateral music flows in the digital age: the role of distance in international music demand

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between international music demand and consumer preferences in the music streaming era. An updated distance measure between countries to account for their music flow is proposed, considering the impact of digitization. The analysis shows that while traditional distance measures such as geographical proximity and shared language remain essential, cultural, and social distance are also significant. A composite measure is suggested to be more appropriate for accounting for consumer preferences in music streaming. The study provides insights into how the rise of digital music streaming has changed the pattern of international music demand.