It's only the amount paid to the artist. Pandora actually pays 12 cents per 100 plays meaning they pay $1200 for a million plays. So the middle men are apparent

It's only the amount paid to the artist. Pandora actually pays 12 cents per 100 plays meaning they pay $1200 for a million plays. So the middle men are apparently taking a huge cut. If I were a musician, I'd be more concerned about that. If Pandora doubled what they pay out, that musician would still only make about $33. However, if that musician could get just 50% of what Pandora already pays out, said musician would get $600.