Maybe this is the crux of the issue. The labels would like to shut down the competition and control the channel as did before. It would explain the PR blitz.
Indeed. Pay to play, every singe time things are played they want you to pay, and be in control. What is missing often from these discussions is that a lot of bands and musicians could deal direct with a service like Spotify. But that would cut the record companies out of the loop and hey are fighting this tooth and claw. So they essentially have a cartel controlling Spotify and making sure the pressure is on for the rest of the industry. It will be interesting to see them end up in the middle, making millions as they have manoeuvred themselves into controlling something hat could hav been an efficient market with few middlemen.