Core Insights - The rise of short videos on platforms like Douyin is reshaping music dissemination and consumption, leading to a trend of "watered-down" pop music that is quickly produced and widely shared [2][4][5] Group 1: Music Trends - The trend of "watered-down" music is characterized by template-based songwriting, where songs can be created in just 3 to 5 days with production costs under 10,000 yuan [4] - The popularity of songs like "Let the Farewell Bloom" demonstrates how matching music with video content can lead to viral success, as it resonated emotionally with viewers [4][5] - The transition from traditional music consumption to a more casual, short-form experience reflects a broader cultural shift in how music is appreciated and shared [5][9] Group 2: Music Platforms - Major music platforms like QQ Music, NetEase Cloud, and Soda Music have distinct competitive advantages, with QQ Music relying heavily on exclusive copyrights to attract users [13][15] - QQ Music boasts a monthly active user base of 210 million, while NetEase Cloud has 140 million, and Soda Music trails with around 8 million users, primarily from Douyin [15][19] - Soda Music's model leverages short videos to create a more engaging user experience, allowing users to discover music actively rather than passively [20][24] Group 3: Monetization and Revenue Models - The revenue model for Soda Music differs significantly from traditional platforms, with 75% of its income coming from short video background music and advertising, compared to QQ Music's 65% from paid memberships [10][27] - The operational costs for Soda Music are lower due to its strategy of not investing heavily in music copyrights, which typically account for 50% of costs in traditional platforms [27][28] - The integration of short videos with music has created new monetization opportunities, such as advertising revenue and live streaming tips, enhancing the profitability of songs [10][20]