Creators global royalty collections hit record high
Digital income growth accelerates to 51% as CISAC member author societies drive efficiencies worldwide
Global royalty collections for creators have hit a new record high of €9.2 billion (US$10.1 billion) annually, up 6% on the previous year according to new figures published by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) today.
In the music sector, songwriters, music composers and publishers saw collections grow by 6.8% to €8.0 billion (US$8.9 billion), helped by a 52% increase in digital revenues. Collections for audiovisual and literature works also increased, while there were small declines in collections for visual arts and drama.
Revenues from digital uses of all repertoires have nearly tripled since 2012, and grew 51.4% in 2016 to just under €1 billion, the sharpest growth rate in the last five years. These are largely driven by streaming subscription services. At €948 million (US$1,045 million) digital still accounts for only 10.4% of global income, however, with revenues held back in particular by poor returns from UGC video streaming platforms.
TV and radio broadcast take the largest collections share with 42.8% of global income, followed by live and background uses. In the music sector in Europe, live and background collections have overtaken TV and radio for the first time, reflecting the health of the live business and pressure on rates from broadcasters.
The numbers are released today in the CISAC Global Collections Report, collating and analysing 2016 data received from member authors societies in 123 territories.
This year’s report shows the system of collective management of creators’ rights is robust, successful and ready for more growth. The big traditional revenue streams, led by broadcast and live performance, remain stable and strong. Digital royalties continue to surge and in some markets already overtake other forms of income. The figures we’re releasing today reflect our societies’ relentless effort to be more efficient and innovative, and drive income growth.
This is a vast sector of cultural and economic activity, worth an amazing nine billion euros worldwide. Despite its growth, however, collections are nowhere near the level they should be. Large industries that use creative content are driving down the value of our works. A simple illustration of this is the “transfer of value” in the digital market where platforms such as YouTube are paying mere crumbs to authors. There is no greater priority that we ask from governments today than a solution to the transfer of value.
CISAC’s global network of 239 societies licences content and collects royalties on behalf of 4 million creators for the use of works on TV, radio, background, live, digital, private copying and other uses.
CISAC – the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers – is the world’s leading network of authors’ societies (also referred to as Collective Management Organisations, or CMOs).
With 239 member societies in 121 countries, CISAC represents over four million creators from all geographic regions and artistic repertoires including music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts. CISAC is presided over by electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and the organisation’s vice-presidents are: Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, Argentinean film director Marcelo Piñeyro, Spanish visual artist Miquel Barceló and Chinese film director, scriptwriter and producer Jia Zhang-ke.
CISAC protects the rights and represents the interests of creators worldwide. Founded in 1926, it is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in France and regional offices in Africa (Burkina Faso), Latin America (Chile), Asia-Pacific (China) and Europe (Hungary).
www.cisac.org | Twitter: @CISACNews | Facebook: CISACWorldwide
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
