Global music publishing revenue set to hit record $14bn by 2030

The report forecasts a 9.6% increase in publishing revenue in 2025, compared to an estimated 5.2% annual growth in the larger recorded music sector. Both areas are described as “inextricably linked,” but the analysis suggests recorded music will experience a sharper slowdown in growth over the next five years.

Between 2026 and 2030, annual growth in publishing revenue is expected to decline gradually from 7.3% to 3.7%, while recorded music growth will slow from 4.5% to 2.3%. This equates to an average 5.4% annual increase for publishing, supporting the forecast of $14.04 billion in total revenue by 2030.

Streaming is predicted to remain the main driver of publishing revenue, accounting for more than $8 billion in digital income by 2030, up from roughly $6 billion in 2025. However, Omdia cautions that the global streaming boom is expected to decelerate in the coming years.

“Music publishing is on a high at the moment and has been for the last few years,” Omdia senior principal analyst Simon Dyson said. “The inevitable slowdown in the growth of music streaming will limit future publisher gains, but the sector will reach new revenue milestones over the next few years and the prospects for longer-term growth have never been so good.”

The report notes that the music industry’s future remains difficult to predict, given rapid technological and market changes. Factors such as Spotify’s evolving royalty structures and the impact of generative AI on music creation and rights management could influence future revenues.

Omdia’s Music & Copyright report also highlights potential opportunities for investors and rightsholders, particularly as billions in funding remain committed but not yet deployed in music intellectual property.

Overall, the analysis suggests that while the pace of growth in recorded music may slow, publishing is poised to capture a larger share of the expanding global music economy.