Global Music Royalties Reach Record €15.5 Billion as Digital Collections Grow

Global royalty collections for creators reached an unprecedented €15.5 billion in 2025, driven by an 11.3% increase from the previous year, according to the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). This surge was primarily fueled by the continued expansion of digital music consumption and rising income from live music performances.

Music accounted for the vast majority of the total collections, generating €14.06 billion, marking an 11.9% rise compared to 2024. Notably, music royalties have expanded by over 83% since 2016, underscoring the sustained growth in global music markets. This growth stems from both the proliferation of licensed digital platforms and the rebound of live entertainment, reflecting shifting patterns in how audiences engage with music.

Digital royalty collections emerged as the dominant growth area, soaring 27.9% across all creative sectors to €6.57 billion and representing 42.4% of total collections. Music alone contributed €6.41 billion of this sum, accounting for 45.6% of music royalties. This increase aligns with the broadening reach of digital services, such as streaming platforms and online usage of copyrighted works.

However, a significant share of the digital growth was attributed to the inclusion of the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) in the United States within CISAC’s reporting for the first time. The MLC's participation accounted for roughly half of the overall rise in global collections. When adjusting for this factor, digital growth still remained robust at 11.6% on a comparable basis.

Live performances and music played in public venues also contributed substantially to royalty gains. Live and background music royalties increased by 7.7% to €3.87 billion globally, overtaking traditional television and radio as the second largest source of royalties. Specifically, live music performances generated a record €1.4 billion, up 14.9%, reflecting increased royalty income from concerts, festivals, and other public performances.

Background music royalties, encompassing establishments such as retail stores and restaurants, grew more modestly. Since 2017, live performance royalties have outpaced background collections by nearly threefold, highlighting the rising importance of live music for songwriters and composers beyond direct ticket sales income.

In contrast, royalties from traditional broadcast media, including television and radio, declined by 2.6% across all creative sectors to €3.82 billion. Within music, broadcasting collections dropped 3% to €3.32 billion. Despite this decrease, broadcast royalties continue to be a significant income source, though their share has diminished relative to digital and live revenues.

Regionally, Europe maintained its position as the largest collection area, generating €8.09 billion in 2025, a 6.2% increase and representing over half of global collections. North America recorded the strongest growth at 26.5%, approaching €4.5 billion, bolstered by digital collections rising 63.5%. The inclusion of the MLC was particularly impactful in the U.S., expanding the scale of reported digital royalties.

The Asia-Pacific region surpassed €2 billion in collections for the first time, aided by digital revenues exceeding €1 billion and constituting over half the total. Latin America and the Caribbean increased collections by nearly 10%, while Africa saw moderate growth, demonstrating the expanding scope of royalty income beyond established markets.

These figures reveal the increasing diversification of revenue streams for songwriters and composers, who benefit from multiple income sources including streaming, live performances, and usage in public venues. The complexity of tracking and distributing royalties has grown alongside this diversification, requiring sophisticated systems and accurate rights management to ensure creators receive appropriate compensation.

The report also emphasizes the importance of comprehensive song registration and rights documentation, as royalties increasingly cross international borders. Incomplete or inconsistent ownership data can delay payments and reduce income for creators, especially independent songwriters navigating different collective management organizations.

CISAC’s 2026 Global Collections Report was published amid ongoing discussions around protecting creators’ rights in an era of rapid technological change. The organization’s Paris Commitment on AI calls for ensuring human creativity remains fairly compensated despite the growing use of artificial intelligence in creative processes.

The overall growth in royalty collections highlights both the vitality of the music economy and the challenges ahead in adapting to new consumption behaviors. As digital platforms dominate and live entertainment continues its resurgence, the music industry must enhance systems for licensing, rights management, and international coordination to sustain these revenue streams for creators.