Photo Credit: Jason Leung
CISAC Global Collections Report 2023 released today shows that music collections rose by 28% YoY to €10.8 billion. For the first time, creators’ largest income source was digital royalties — noted as being the most significant milestone for the music sector.
The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) details in the report that €12.1 billion in total 2022 collections for creators signify a historical high point with 26.5% YoY growth. CISAC’s 2023 Global Collections Report provides comprehensive data and analysis of royalty collections across all repertoires including music, audiovisual, visual arts, literature, and drama — with all seeing collections growth in 2022.
Total collections exclusively for the music sector rose by a record annual growth of 28% to €10.8 billion. The number is 21.4% higher than the last recorded royalty pool from 2019 — after which COVID-19 triggered mayhem on creator earnings.
The current boost is driven by a consistent increase in digital income and the recovery of live and public performances — which the report notes still falls 7.9% short of pre-COVID levels of 2019 as local events and smaller venues struggle to match the recovery levels of international tours and festivals. Nonetheless, collections from live and public performances totaled €2.7 billion, which included concerts, exhibitions, and theatres. The number represents 69.9% growth for the year.
In the face of thriving streaming and subscription, digital collections reached €4.2 billion — double that of 2019 numbers. For the first time, digital royalties form a bigger revenue pool than TV and radio, making up 35% of the total.
In the report’s collected revenue breakdown (across all repertoires) based on region, Europe accounted for €6.6 billion (noting a 26.1% YoY growth), and North America’s royalty collection grew by 29.9%, totaling €2.96 billion for 2022. Collections in the Asia-Pacific region grew by 15.7%, and Africa by 10.1%. For Latin America and the Caribbean — the royalty pool exhibited 66.1% YoY growth. It’s important to note that the rise of digital income is evident across all regions, displaying monumental increases in the year 2022.
In his statement accompanying the report, CISAC Director General Gadi Oron noted that the collections for 2022 represent a remarkable return to growth, as the sector recovers fully from the three-year pandemic.
“While live and public performances have bounced back strongly, the recovery is driven most of all by digital, which has now become creators’ largest source of income. Streaming and subscription have not just revived the status quo; they have transformed the market, changed the game for creators, and paved the way for future growth,” Oran relayed.
CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus also commented on how — despite the enormous challenges the collective management system faces as it adapts to digital — the year’s results are proof of CMOs’ effectiveness. “CMOs have the backs of the creators they serve and are now delivering more money to more creators than ever before.
Ulvaeus also noted that the industry now faces ‘another very serious existential challenge.’ “Artificial intelligence will radically change the world for creators and the creative industry. It demands international leadership and a strong united front from all parts of the creative industry.”
CISAC’s Board Chair Marcelo Castello Branco commented that although collections have reached record levels, CISAC will lead the way to address issues of ‘growing inequalities and imbalances between different regions, income streams, and large and small societies.’ Castello added, “We must address these issues head-on, with CISAC leading the way. This means improving systems, resolving data problems, advocating for creators’ rights, and maintaining the solidarity of our community.”