RIAA Including Digital Streams To Gold And Platinum Awards

May 9th, 2013

Grant Trimboli

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) have announced that they will be adding digital streaming to Gold, Platinum and Diamond certifications.

The business is set to include online streaming from MOG, Muve Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify and Xbox Music. Video services include MTV.com, Yahoo! Music, YouTube and VEVO.

The RIAA released a short summary of the situation by stating, On-demand streams on digital music services that are authorized by and reported to the record labels, whether paid for by the consumer through a subscription or free to the consumer through ad-supported services, will be accepted for RIAA certifications.

Chairman & CEO of RIAA, Cary Sherman said that, Including music streaming in Gold & Platinum awards marks the continued evolution of the industry’s premier program for recognizing artistic achievement, and it reflects the wide spectrum of ways consumers enjoy music from their favorite bands. The music business, along with its incredible array of digital service partners, is offering fans more access to music than ever before. We’re thrilled that our awards will now more fully recognize artists’ commercial success today.

Do you feel like this certification will have a positive impact on the music industry?