The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially launched its study into music streaming, while laying out the areas its research will focus on.

As announced in October, the CMA’s study will scrutinize whether competition within the music streaming sector is “working well.” Further information revealed today says that it will be exploring a “range of factors,” including:

• The nature of competition at different levels of the value chain, including the extent to which music companies and music streaming services may have market power;
• The extent to which the publishing arms of recorded music companies strengthen any market power of such music companies;
• Possible barriers to entry and expansion which may be faced by smaller and newer music companies and music streaming services, particularly those seeking to introduce disruptive business models or services;
• The inter-relationships and agreements between music companies and music streaming services and whether they impact upon competition, innovation and consumer outcomes;
• The range of music streaming business models, including ad-funded music streaming, premium subscriptions, and user-uploaded content platforms such as YouTube and how they compete with one another;
• Whether any business practices adopted by music streaming services (for example how they collect and use consumer data) may harm consumers, especially as more adopt music streaming; and
• How sector developments could change competitive dynamics.

If the CMA identifies any competition concerns or consumer issues during its study, it will consider whether further action needs to be taken. The study will be conducted over the next year by gathering evidence from a “wide range” of stakeholders. An update will be provided in six months and the final report in 12 months.