November 22, 2017

CISAC’s global network of 239 societies licenses content and collects royalties in 123 territories on behalf of four million creators for the use of works on TV, radio, background, live, digital, private copying and other uses.

The CISAC figures are contained in the CISAC Global Collections Report, collating and analysing 2016 data received from CISAC’s member authors’ societies.

The figures show that in the music sector, songwriters, music composers and publishers saw collections grow by 6.8% to €8.0 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, digital still accounts for only 10.4% of global income, however, and revenues are held back in particular by poor returns from UGC video streaming platforms.

TV and radio broadcast take the largest collections share at 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.

Introducing the 2017 Report, CISAC Director General Gadi Oron says:

“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.” To read CISAC’s press release in full and to access the Report, click here.