Major music industry news in May 2025 from RouteNote Blog
Music industry news in May 2025 has been buzzing with updates on big payouts, new policies, and platform power plays. From Snapchat renewing its global music deal with the NMPA to Spotify’s report of UK artists earning over $1 billion in 2024, there have been significant developments in the industry.
Snapchat recently extended its licensing agreement with the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), securing fair compensation for songwriters and rightsholders. This renewal ensures continued access to licensed music on the app, benefiting both creators and users.
SoundCloud faced backlash over concerns that it was using artists’ music to train AI. However, the platform updated its terms to address these issues, allowing creators to opt out of AI training by removing their music. This move was seen as a step towards greater transparency and artist rights.
Spotify reported that British artists collectively earned over $1 billion in 2024, emphasizing the global reach of UK talent and the increasing role of streaming income. Despite ongoing concerns about fair payouts, this milestone highlights the success of UK artists in the music streaming landscape.
YouTube celebrated a significant milestone, reaching over 125 million paid Music and Premium subscribers. The platform aims to become the top revenue contributor to the industry, reflecting its growing influence in the music and entertainment realms.
YouTube’s Content ID system has paid out $12 billion to rightsholders, underscoring its commitment to protecting creators and enabling monetization across user-generated content. This substantial payout demonstrates YouTube’s dedication to supporting music rights holders and creators.
The US House of Representatives passed the Ticket Act, aimed at increasing transparency in live event ticket sales. The legislation, if signed into law, would require clearer pricing and crackdown on hidden fees, a development welcomed by artists and fans alike.
Spotify introduced new discovery and playlist tools to enhance user experience and promote music exploration. These features offer smarter personalization and algorithm customization, empowering listeners to discover new music and helping artists reach wider audiences.
YouTube settled with South Korea over concerns related to its music bundling practices, paving the way for fairer competition and potentially reshaping subscription services globally. As part of the resolution, YouTube plans to introduce a more affordable Premium Lite subscription in South Korea, offering ad-free viewing without ad-free YouTube Music.
YouTube continues to dominate TV viewing in the US, surpassing streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ in viewership. This streak highlights YouTube’s widespread reach and the evolving viewing habits of audiences, emphasizing the platform’s influence on both short and long-form content consumption.