Industry Statistics and Trends
Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe key trends
Streaming dominates global music revenue.
The growth of streaming has revived the previously struggling music industry.
Social media is reshaping music promotion and discovery.
New artists can leverage platforms like TikTok and Spotify to reach global audiences independently, bypassing traditional publishing gatekeepers.
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Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €13.1bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Streaming is now the default method of music consumption
- Streaming is now the biggest money maker for music publishers, dwarfing other revenue streams like physical sales, downloads and performance rights.
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Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Publishers are under threat from new methods of mass marketing
- Traditionally, artists have relied on music publishers' contacts in downstream markets like radio and advertising to grow their audience and boost album sales; however, social media has opened up new ways of self-promotion.
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Revenue
€13.1bn
Employees
57,951
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
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Biggest companies in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Universal Music Group NV | 11,880.0 | 1,696.3 | 14.3 | |
Warner Music Group Corp | 6,302.0 | 922.5 | 14.6 | |
Sony Music Group | 10,012.4 | 2,294.2 | 22.9 |
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Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe is €13.1bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 39,370 businesses in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe include?
Publishing recorded audio and Distributing recorded audio are part of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry is France.
How competitive is the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Greece
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Romania
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Norway
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Italy
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in the UK
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Sweden
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Germany
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Latvia
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Austria
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in France
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Lithuania
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in the Netherlands
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Belgium
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Cyprus
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Estonia
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Iceland
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe
- Music Downloading & Streaming Services in Germany
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Germany
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Spain
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Portugal
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Serbia
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Switzerland
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Czechia
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Turkey
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Ireland
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Finland
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Bulgaria
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Luxembourg
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Russia
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Slovakia
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Hungary
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Denmark
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Poland
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Malta
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Croatia
- Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Slovenia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in the industry produce original sound master recordings and promote and distribute them to wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Music publishers acquire and register copyrights for compositions; promote, authorise and use pieces in recordings, TV and other media; and publish music and sheet music. Publishers either own the copyright or act as an administrator of the music copyrights on behalf of the copyright owners.
Related Terms
MASTER COPYPRE-RECORDEDVIDEODISCWhat's included in this industry?
Publishing recorded audioDistributing recorded audioStudio hireCompanies
Universal Music Group NVWarner Music Group CorpSony Music GroupIndustry Code
592 - Sound recording and music publishing activities in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Streaming is now the default method of music consumption
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Music streaming overtakes other formats in consumer music sales. The advent of streaming platforms has led to its dominance in global music sales.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Importer
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
The music industry is dominated by the ‘Big 3’. The global music industry is dominated by the Big 3, Universal, Warner and Sony, which act as umbrella organisations with a host of subsidiaries around the world.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Universal Music Group NV
- Countries of operation for Warner Music Group Corp
- Countries of operation for Sony Music Group
- Countries of operation for Believe SAS
- Countries of operation for BMG Rights Management GmbH
- Countries of operation for Kobalt Music Group Ltd
- Countries of operation for Edel SE & Co KGaA
- Countries of operation for Beggars Group Ltd
- Countries of operation for LGS2 SPRL
- Countries of operation for Cooking Vinyl Ltd
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Publishers need to be aware of previous copyrighted work. Songs produced that are similar to previously created works are subject to potential legal action.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Streaming slashes profit, though boosts record label sales. While the digital release of music cuts costs, low per-listen revenue from platforms like Spotify strains profitability, particularly for smaller artists.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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