SACEM reports record $1.7b in global collections for 2024

International revenues surged by 15% year-on-year (YoY) to €749 million, accounting for nearly half of SACEM’s total collections. This growth was largely attributed to the organisation’s widening presence across streaming platforms and social media. Meanwhile, domestic collections in France rose modestly by 2% YoY to €852 million, continuing a gradual upward trend after collecting €835 million in 2023 and €832 million in 2022.

Overall revenues increased by 7.7% from €1.487 billion reported in 2023. For comparison, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) reported a 5.7% rise in revenue to $1.835 billion, while Germany’s GEMA saw a 4.7% increase to €1.133 billion.

SACEM, now active in over 180 territories, reported that 510 000 authors, composers and publishers received royalties in 2024, up from 458,000 the previous year. The society distributed €1.379 billion to rights holders, representing a 12% increase from 2023, while maintaining its operating expense ratio at a steady 10.8%.

Membership also grew significantly, with 13 400 new members joining in 2024, 27% of whom are under the age of 25. SACEM now represents 240 000 creators from 177 nationalities, with non-French members accounting for 13% of the total.

In a strategic push, SACEM secured 16 new international mandates last year, partnering with organisations including Côte d’Ivoire’s Burida, India’s IPRS, and music publisher Believe Sentric. These add to its existing portfolio of 70 mandates, which include Universal Music Publishing International, ASCAP, Canada’s SOCAN, and South Korea’s KOMCA.

“In recent years, SACEM has made internationalisation and digital innovation key drivers of growth, directly benefiting its members,” SACEM CEO Cécile Rap-Veber said. “By seeking new mandates and strengthening our presence in global digital markets, we have expanded our scope of action and generated additional revenue that directly benefits the authors, composers and publishers we represent.”

The society allocated €20.3 million to cultural initiatives in 2024, supporting 3,600 projects across France. These included funding for 1 200 concerts in smaller municipalities, 478 festivals, and 185 performance venues.

Rap-Veber added: “But while our work extends internationally, it is deeply rooted in local communities. SACEM supports thousands of projects, from concerts and festivals to residencies and educational programmes, that bring music to life where it is created, shared and enjoyed. In a society weakened by social, generational and geographical divides, music plays an essential role: it builds connections, raises awareness, and ensures access to culture for all.”

Looking ahead, SACEM plans to launch a new endowment fund in the second half of 2025 to support artistic creation, arts education, and the transmission of cultural knowledge. It is also developing Collab+, a networking platform for authors, composers and publishers, expected to launch within six months.

Earlier this year, SACEM partnered with music streaming platform Deezer to implement an artist-centric payment system for publishing rights across France. In its 2024 report, SACEM described the initiative as a “major step forward for fairer rights redistribution,” aiming to promote professional creators and combat fraudulent or low-value content, including white noise and AI-generated music.

Patrick Sigwalt, composer and chairman of SACEM’s board of directors, reflected on the evolving landscape: “In a world where artificial intelligence is redefining the boundaries of creativity, we must act with clarity, determination and solidarity. SACEM is not just a management organisation, it represents a united community committed to defending creators’ rights and upholding the value of creative work.”

“As new challenges emerge,” Sigwalt concluded, “we remain steadfast in our belief that innovation must not come at the expense of copyright. Through our shared values of solidarity, transparency and mutual support, we will continue protecting and empowering creators, shaping a fair and sustainable future for all.”