Songwriter societies hit €5b in digital royalties - here's what creatives should do next
Digital revenues collected by songwriter societies crossed €5 billion in 2024, up 10.8% year on year, according to the new Global Collections Report from CISAC. Digital now makes up nearly 40% of all collections, with broadcast at 27% and performance at 26.7%.
Total collections across all revenue streams reached €12.59 billion, up 7.2%. Growth is solid, but there's a looming fight over how AI trains on music and who gets paid for it.
The 2024 money mix at a glance
- Digital: €5.0b+ (up 10.8%), now close to 40% of collections.
- Performance (concerts, background music): €3.37b (up 10.4%).
- Broadcast (TV/radio): €3.41b (up 1.2%) after a dip in 2023.
Note: CISAC's report tracks income flowing through collecting societies like PRS, SACEM, GEMA and ASCAP. Some money bypasses societies, especially in Anglo-American markets-certain streaming payouts and upfront TV/film sync fees flow through publishers instead, so they won't show up in these totals.
AI: opportunity vs. unpaid use
"This year's results are testament to the adaptability and resilience of creators' collective rights management in a rapidly changing environment," said CISAC Director General Gadi Oron. He also warned that AI technologies could undermine future income if training happens without licenses.
There's clear upside if AI companies license music. That requires pressure: legal challenges in the US are underway from major labels, while in Europe, societies like GEMA and Koda are taking point. Universal Music's Lucian Grainge is framing AI as a new revenue line-if companies agree to pay.
What this means for working songwriters, producers, and composers
- Register every work with your society and keep metadata clean. Incomplete data leaves money on the table.
- Submit accurate setlists for live shows and tours. Performance income is growing fast and is easier to miss than streaming.
- Track broadcast and background uses via your society dashboards and neighboring rights tools where available.
- Talk with your publisher about direct deals that won't appear in society statements (certain streaming splits, upfront syncs).
- Prepare for AI licensing: organize your catalog, ISRC/ISWC links, stems, and proof of ownership. The payout will favor catalogs ready to be cleared.
Practical next steps
- Read the topline data to plan releases and touring around where money is growing. The latest report is here: CISAC Global Collections Report.
- Skill up on AI so you can protect your rights and spot new paid use-cases (voice models, custom generators, dataset deals). If you need structured resources, see Complete AI Training: Latest AI Courses.
Bottom line
Digital keeps climbing and live is back in force. Broadcast is steady. AI is the wildcard-huge potential if licensed, serious risk if not. Get your catalog tight, your data accurate, and your rights strategy ready for the next wave.
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