<\/p>\n
Paid Subscriptions Reach $6.4 Billion, 55.3% of Total US Revenue<\/em><\/p>\n US Premium Paid Subscriptions Grew 6.8%<\/em><\/p>\n US Vinyl Sales Surpass $1 Billion, Representing Nearly 50% of Format\u2019s Global Total<\/em><\/p>\n WASHINGTON, DC <\/strong>(March 16, 2026) \u2013 The Recording Industry Association of America<\/strong>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong> (RIAA) <\/strong>today released its 2025 Year-End Recorded Music Revenue Report, which reported that US wholesale annual revenue achieved a record high of $11.5 billion. Fostered by labels\u2019 commitment to using technological innovation to deepen the connection between artists and fans, streaming is an important part of industry revenues that also creates pathways to new formats and experiences. The US remains the world\u2019s largest paid subscription market with 106.5 million accounts generating $6.4 billion in revenue. Premium paid subscription revenues grew by 6.8% to $5.88 billion. That sustained growth is enabling deeper investment, experimentation and agility to make the most of emerging opportunities. Additionally, US vinyl sales grew for a 19th<\/sup> consecutive year, representing nearly 50% of the format\u2019s global value.<\/p>\n \u201cFans are consuming music from the artists they love in more ways than ever, and that passion is reflected in today\u2019s report. 2025 reveals a\u00a0strong and stable music economy resulting from committed label investment and identification of new spaces to expand artists\u2019 creativity. From the ease of streaming to new vinyl to licensing responsible AI tools and services, labels are diversifying fan engagement,\u201d <\/em>said\u00a0Matt Bass<\/strong>, RIAA VP Research and Gold & Platinum Operations. \u201cUS recorded music has demonstrated\u00a0sustained\u00a0growth globally, reaching $6.4 billion alone in paid subscriptions and tallying 50% of global vinyl revenue, leading the way for fans to listen and connect with their favorite music whenever, wherever and however they want.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n View <\/strong>Here<\/strong><\/a>: RIAA 2025 Year-End Recorded Music Revenue Report<\/strong><\/p>\n 2025 <\/strong>Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe last 20 years have been marked by unprecedented transformation for recorded music \u2013 from the steady rise to dominance of\u00a0anytime, anywhere streaming options as listeners enjoy tunes from their favorite artists to a resurgence of vinyl as both a listening experience and collectable art. And now, our industry is advancing free-market licensing, building responsible AI partnerships that enhance discovery, deepen fan engagement and unlock new creative possibilities for how music is made and experienced,\u201d <\/em>said RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier<\/strong>. \u201cThrough it all, music remains a cornerstone of culture and a growing economic powerhouse for the US, <\/em>contributing<\/em><\/a> $212 billion to our GDP and supporting more than 2.5 million American jobs.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n As noted at mid-year, RIAA figures are now shown at wholesale. The refreshed interactive database with historic figures is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The world-leading paid streaming and vinyl numbers tell a bigger story about fans craving a tangible connection to the artists they love and investing in the full creative process behind it: human-centered music created by real people with real stories. A recent poll<\/a> underscores that sentiment, showing nearly 3-to-1 (67%\u201323%) voters oppose allowing AI companies to replace human creativity by using copyrighted works without permission or compensation. The findings also reveal two-thirds believe AI companies should enter licensing agreements, just as streaming platforms do \u2013 a model that today\u2019s report shows is working and thriving.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why artists and industry groups are pushing for stronger protections to prevent AI from exploiting their voices and likenesses while also calling out unethical, unauthorized training practices that undermine creative ownership. Over 1,000 creators have made a strong case that \u201cStealing Isn\u2019t Innovation<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Revenue Category Definitions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n\n