BPI - CMU | the music business explained

New generation of British artists propel UK record industry to £1.5 billion high, says BPI

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BPI • 4 min read

New generation of British artists propel UK record industry to £1.5 billion high, says BPI

Not a single UK artist made the Official Charts top five most-streamed tracks in 2024. In 2025, Lola Young, Olivia Dean and Chrystal all broke through. Revenue hit £1.57 billion, vinyl reached a three-decade high - but adjust for inflation and the industry is still hundreds of millions short…

Sam Taylor • 12 Mar 2026

UK recorded music market hits “decade of continuous growth” as streaming revenue breaks £1 billion barrier

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BPI • 5 min read

UK recorded music market hits “decade of continuous growth” as streaming revenue breaks £1 billion barrier

UK record industry trade group BPI has published its annual stats pack revealing that the sector made more than £1 billion from streaming in 2024, with total wholesale revenues topping £1.49 billion. However, when inflation is factored it, there is still some way to go to match pre-digital levels…

Sam Taylor • 12 Mar 2025

Copyright group says UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan stance on data mining reform is “deeply concerning”

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Artificial Intelligence • 2 min read

Copyright group says UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan stance on data mining reform is “deeply concerning”

Earlier this week the UK government launched its AI Opportunities Action Plan, basically stating that UK law should have an AI copyright exception like EU law, even though ministers are in the midst of a consultation supposedly scrutinising that proposal. The copyright industries are not impressed…

Chris Cooke • 15 Jan 2025

UK recorded music revenues reach all-time high in 2024 - providing no one adjusts for inflation

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ERA • 3 min read

UK recorded music revenues reach all-time high in 2024 - providing no one adjusts for inflation

UK trade groups ERA and BPI have both published year-end stats. ERA reveals that recorded music retail revenues in 2024 were £2.39 billion, an all-time high, providing you don’t adjust for inflation. Streaming generates 84% of the revenue, although vinyl sales also continue to grow…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jan 2025

UK government proposes copyright exception to help make UK attractive to AI companies as part of new consultation

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Artificial Intelligence • 4 min read

UK government proposes copyright exception to help make UK attractive to AI companies as part of new consultation

The UK government has formally proposed introducing a new copyright exception for AI companies that use existing content to train their models, but with an opt-out for copyright owners. The music industry will oppose that proposal via a consultation that the government has just opened…

Chris Cooke • 17 Dec 2024

Music industry responds to King’s Speech

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King’s Speech • 3 min read

Music industry responds to King’s Speech

Yesterday the new UK government set out its legislative agenda via the King’s Speech. The music industry has responded, welcoming commitments on EU, devolution, skills and AI. Ministers have also been urged to liaise with industry on planning reform and the Terrorism (Protection Of Premises) Bill…

Chris Cooke • 18 Jul 2024

UK recorded music grows for ninth year running to £1.43 billion

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BPI • 4 min read

UK recorded music grows for ninth year running to £1.43 billion

The UK recorded music industry grew for the ninth consecutive year in 2023, bringing in £1.43 billion. Streaming and physical music saw growth, and the independent sector also enjoyed an increased share of album sales and streams. This is all according to a new stats pack from BPI…

Andy Malt • 16 Apr 2024

Setlist Podcast: MPs want to see action on musicians’ income

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: MPs want to see action on musicians’ income

UK politicians on the need for changes to how musicians get paid, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree's lawsuit against PRS, and more…

Andy Malt • 12 Apr 2024

BPI threatens to sue voice cloning site Voicify

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Voicify • 3 min read

BPI threatens to sue voice cloning site Voicify

After the US record industry raised concerns about UK-based voice cloning service Voicify in a piracy document last year, it has emerged that British trade group BPI is now threatening legal action against the platform, which makes “high quality AI covers in seconds”…

Chris Cooke • 18 Mar 2024

Think you understand the music industry’s revenue stats? Think again…

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Industry Stats • 4 min read

Think you understand the music industry’s revenue stats? Think again…

Headline stats for UK, France, Germany and Spain have been released in advance of IFPI’s Global Music Report - but they’re not as straightforward as they might seem. You can look at two sets of numbers that appear to represent the same thing, but are actually completely different.…

Sam Taylor • 15 Mar 2024

ER report divides industry ahead of first meeting of remuneration working group

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Economics Of Streaming • 4 min read

ER report divides industry ahead of first meeting of remuneration working group

As part of its ongoing work on streaming, the UK government has published a report on the possible impact of applying performer equitable remuneration to streams. It’s one proposal for addressing concerns around artist remuneration that will be discussed by a new government-convened working group…

Chris Cooke • 20 Feb 2024

Setlist Podcast: When arts funding and politics collide

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: When arts funding and politics collide

Kneecap threaten to sue the British government for blocking funding to expand their international career, and MLC goes legal over mechanical royalties on its free service…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 16 Feb 2024