Music Publishing Market Size, Share, Trends, Industry Analysis, and Forecast (2025 – 2031)

Music Publishing Market Size

The global music publishingmarket size was valued at $7.29 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $10.94 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period.

Music Publishing Market Overview

Music publishing refers to the management and monetization of musical works, encompassing activities such as promotion, distribution, licensing, and royalty collection. This sector plays a crucial role in ensuring that songwriters and composers receive proper compensation for their creations whenever their music is performed, streamed, or used in various media.

Companies can benefit from music publishing by gaining access to a wide array of revenue streams, including mechanical royalties from sales and streaming, performance royalties from live performances and broadcasts, and synchronization fees from licensing music for films, commercials, and video games. Additionally, music publishers often provide valuable services such as negotiating contracts, promoting songs to various media outlets, and facilitating international licensing agreements, which can significantly enhance an artist’s visibility and revenue opportunities. As digital streaming continues to dominate the music landscape, the role of music publishers becomes increasingly vital in navigating the complexities of copyright laws and ensuring that creators are fairly compensated in an evolving market.

Music Publishing Market Dynamics

The music publishingmarket is expected to witness significant growth in the future due to the growth of digital streaming services, global music consumption, and emergence of new revenue streams. However, the copyright infringement and piracy, complex international copyright laws, and consolidation of major players are restraining the growth of the market.

Furthermore, expansion into emerging markets, integration of ai in music discovery, and increased live events and performances are the key trends propelling the music publishingmarket.

Growth of Digital Streaming Services is Driving the Music Publishing Market

The growth of digital streaming services is significantly impacting the music publishingmarket, exemplified by various companies and initiatives.

• In 2023, global music publishing revenues reached $10.1 billion, reflecting a 12% increase from the previous year, largely driven by platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, which have become primary revenue sources for publishers.
• The enactment of the Music Modernization Act on October 11, 2018, established a framework for fair compensation in the streaming economy by creating a non-profit organization to manage mechanical licensing rights, providing legal certainty for streaming services and improving revenue distribution for music publishers.

Additionally, music publishers have successfully negotiated non-DSP (Digital Service Provider) deals with platforms like TikTok and Meta, yielding higher royalty shares compared to traditional agreements. The rapid growth in subscription numbers further underscores this trend;

• Spotify reached over 236 million paid subscribers by 2024, with approximately 70% of streaming platform revenues allocated to rights holders, boosting income for music publishers and songwriters alike.

Furthermore, government initiatives such as Indonesia's Regulation Number 56 of 2021 mandate that all commercial venues playing or streaming music obtain appropriate copyright licenses, ensuring fair compensation for rights holders and supporting the overall structure of the music publishing market. These developments collectively highlight how digital streaming services are reshaping the landscape of music publishing, driving revenue growth while fostering legal frameworks that benefit creators and publishers alike.

By Type, the Digital Segment is projected to be the Largest Segment in the Music Publishing Market

Digital is the largest segment in the music publishingmarket, driven by several interrelated factors, primarily driven by the proliferation of digital streaming services. In 2023, the global music publishing market was valued at approximately $6.8 billion and is projected to reach around $13.7 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2024 onward. This growth is largely attributed to the fact that streaming now accounts for over 84% of total music industry revenue, with platforms like Spotify, which holds a 30.5% market share, leading the charge. The rise in music consumption through these platforms has simplified access for listeners while simultaneously increasing royalty collections for publishers directly from streaming services, eliminating the need for intermediaries like record labels. Additionally, government initiatives such as India's Copyright Amendment Act aim to strengthen copyright protections and ensure fair compensation for creators, thereby enhancing the legal framework within which digital music operates. The emergence of new revenue streams, such as synchronization licensing for video games and films, further fuels this demand as music publishers capitalize on diverse opportunities presented by digital platforms. Moreover, technological advancements in data analytics enable more efficient tracking and distribution of royalties, making it easier for publishers to monetize their catalogs effectively. Collectively, these factors illustrate why there is a robust and growing demand for music publishing services in the digital landscape.

By Geography, North America Holds the Largest Share in the Market Revenue

North America holds the largest share of the music publishingmarket, driven by a combination of robust digital infrastructure, significant industry players, and supportive government initiatives. The United States leads this market due to its concentration of major publishing companies such as Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, which dominate both traditional and digital landscapes.

• The implementation of the Music Modernization Act in January 2021 has also played a crucial role in enhancing the market's appeal by streamlining licensing processes and ensuring fair compensation for creators in the digital age.

Additionally, partnerships between music publishers and digital platforms have expanded revenue opportunities;

• For instance, in July 2021, TikTok signed a licensing agreement with the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), allowing for greater access to music rights for its extensive user base in the U.S., which exceeds 100 million monthly active users.

Furthermore, the rise of new revenue streams from synchronization licensing—where music is used in films, advertisements, and video games—has created additional demand for publishing services. This dynamic environment underscores why North America remains a critical hub for music publishing, characterized by innovation, collaboration, and significant economic potential.

Key Target Audience:

• Music Publishers
• Songwriters and Composers
• Recording Artists
• Digital Streaming Services
• Film and Television Producers

List of the Key Players Profiled in the Report Includes:

• Universal Music Group (UMG)
• Sony Music Entertainment
• Warner Music Group
• Concord Music Group
• BMG Rights Management
• Kobalt Music Group
• Disney Music Group
• Atlas Music Publishing
• Wixen Music Publishing.
• Super Cassettes Industries Private Ltd.

Recent Developments:

• In September 2024, UMG announced an expanded partnership with Tuned Global in a new global licensing agreement, enabling clients to access UMG's catalogue of recorded music and technological expertise for various projects across industries like fitness and gaming.
• In November 2024, Sony reported that its global music rights operation generated $2.55 billion in Q3 2024, marking a 9.6% increase year-on-year. This includes $612.2 million from its music publishing operation, which grew by 6.9% compared to the previous year.
• In August 2024, WMG announced its fiscal Q3 results, highlighting strong growth in music publishing driven by digital and performance revenue. The company reported a 7.9% increase in music publishing streaming revenue during this quarter.

Market Segmentation:

The research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry analysis with size, share, and forecast for the below segments:

Market by, Type:

• Performance
• Digital
• Synchronization
• Mechanical
• Other Types

Market by, Revenue:

• Royalties
• Sync Licensing
• Subscriptions

Market by, Application:

• Commercial
• Common Weal

Market by, End-Users:

• Record Labels
• Artists and Songwriters
• Media and Entertainment Companies

Market by, Geography:

The music publishingmarket report also analyzes the major geographic regions and countries of the market. The regions and countries covered in the study include:

• North America (The United States, Canada, Mexico), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia Pacific), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Rest of South America), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis

The report offers insights into the following aspects:

• Analysis of major market trends, factors driving, restraining, threatening, and providing opportunities for the market.
• Analysis of the market structure by identifying various segments and sub-segments of the market.
• Understand the revenue forecast of the market for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.
• Analysis of opportunities by identification of high-growth segments/revenue pockets in the market.
• Understand major player profiles in the market and analyze their business strategies.
• Understand competitive developments such as joint ventures, alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and new product launches in the market.