More artists are earning money from streaming

More UK music artists earned "meaningful royalties" from streaming in 2021, the BPI reports.

UK music was streamed 147 billion times last year – a 5.7% increase on 2020.

About 1,900 artists were streamed more than 10 million times in the UK, meaning they could potentially earn a living from streaming alone. This group has grown by a quarter in just two years, according to the BPI.

Its figures indicate streaming now accounts for 83% of UK music consumption, though physical formats' popularity remains: a decline in CD sales has slowed and vinyl sales are the highest they've been in 30 years.

Today, an artist will generate the same revenue from 10 million streams as 10,000 CD sales. BPI estimates twice as many artists are earning significant sums compared to when CD sales were at their height.

"Success today is gauged in the multi-millions, sometimes billions, of streams," CEO Geoff Taylor said.

"This year’s growth shows there is a huge appetite for music and we believe that by working together we can increase the value of the whole music market, so that streaming can support even more artists in the future."