Stream Smarter: Why Streaming Prices Are Rising & What It Means for Musicians

Meta Description: Discover why streaming prices are rising every 12–24 months and how musicians can thrive amid projected $200 billion global music revenue growth.

Introduction

The music industry is evolving—and fast. According to recent reports, global music revenues are on track to double from $105 billion in 2024 to nearly $200 billion by 2035. Key to this growth? Streaming price hikes, emerging markets, and superfans. For musicians, services like Spotify playlist promotion are becoming more valuable than ever in getting heard and building fanbases.

1. Streaming Prices to Rise Every 12–24 Months

Experts forecast regular subscription price increases—especially in the U.S.—every 12 to 24 months, aligning more closely with trends in video streaming services. This shift signals a new, more sustainable revenue approach for platforms and creators alike.

Why It Matters for Musicians

• Higher subscription costs could translate into more robust payout pools—especially for artists with high engagement metrics or featured content.
• It’s a strong signal for musicians and managers to track and leverage pricing changes for promotion and negotiations.

2. Global Music Revenue Set to Double by 2035

Industry projections show that through diversified revenue streams—streaming, live shows, subscriptions, and superfans—the global music industry will see explosive growth, reaching nearly $200 billion by 2035.

Musician Takeaways

• A broader ecosystem means more routes to income: think live experiences, VIP merch, and exclusive content.
• Artists should diversify their revenue streams beyond streaming to capture a share of this expanding market.

3. Streaming Still Dominates Current Revenue Landscape

In 2024, global recorded music revenue rose by 4.8% to $29.6 billion, driven by a 9.5% jump in paid subscriptions and 10.6% growth in paid users, reaching 752 million worldwide. Streaming accounted for 69% of total revenue, with streaming revenues surpassing $20 billion for the first time.

The Opportunity

• Streaming remains the most significant revenue driver—so optimizing your releases with Spotify playlist promotion still pays off.
• Growth trends in emerging territories like Latin America, Africa, and MENA (all growing over 22% in 2024) offer ripe opportunities for international reach.

4. Superfans and Live Shows Drive Future Growth

Superfans and live performances are projected to be potent growth engines: live music is forecast to grow at 7.2% annually, and monetizing superfan engagement could generate upward of $6.6 billion by 2035.

How Musicians Can Benefit

• Develop tailored fan experiences: limited edition merch, exclusive livestreams, VIP bundles.
• Make live shows immersive—use them as loyalty engines and fan accelerators.

5. What This Means for Indie and Grassroots Musicians

While the industry looks bullish on surface metrics, it’s unclear how much of that wealth will trickle down to newer or independent artists. The onus is on indie talent to:

• Leverage niche fanbases strategically.
• Tap into direct-to-fan tools like Patreon, Bandcamp, or special-content drops.
• Build resilient brands—don’t rely solely on streaming for revenue, but make sure you maximize exposure with tools like Spotify playlist promotion.

Final Thoughts

The music business is recalibrating—streaming still holds sway, but future growth rides on strategic pricing, live experiences, and superfans. Musicians who diversify, engage loyal fans, and expand into experiential offerings will set themselves up to capture a meaningful slice of this expanding pie.