Music Publishing Market Forecast to Hit USD 16.46 Billion by 2031 on Rising Streaming Revenues and Catalog Acquisitions

Music Publishing Market Overview 

The Music Publishing Market plays a central role in ensuring songwriters and composers earn income when their music is used commercially. According to Mordor Intelligence, the market was valued at USD 12.37 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 16.46 billion by 2031, reflecting consistent market expansion over the forecast period. 

The shift toward digital-first music consumption is shaping the Music Publishing Industry. Streaming audio platforms, social media videos, and user-generated content now contribute a large share of royalties. At the same time, investors are acquiring music catalogs as long-term revenue assets, adding liquidity and competitive intensity to the Music Publishing Market Size and structure. 

Key Music Publishing Market Trends 

Growing Impact of Streaming and Social Platforms on Royalty Growth 

• The rising dominance of streaming audio services and social media platforms is reshaping revenue flows across the music publishing market. As digital consumption accelerates, these platforms are contributing a larger share of royalties, directly influencing overall music publishing market size and long-term monetization models. 

Rising Institutional Investment in Music Catalog Acquisitions 

• Institutional investors are increasingly acquiring high-value music catalogs to secure predictable, long-duration cash flows. This trend is driving consolidation and altering competitive dynamics, leading to shifts in music publishing market share among major and independent publishers. 

Expanding Role of Short-Form Video in Music Discovery and Licensing 

• Short-form video platforms are emerging as key discovery channels, accelerating music adoption and licensing demand. Their growing influence is strengthening synchronization revenues and supporting an optimistic music publishing market forecast driven by social-led consumption patterns. 

Sustained Demand for Performance Royalties from Traditional Broadcast 

• Despite rapid digitalization, performance royalties from radio and broadcast remain a stable revenue stream. These channels continue to provide recurring income, reinforcing revenue diversification within the global music publishing market. 

Growth of Digital-Native and Independent Publishers 

• Digital-native and independent publishers are expanding rapidly by offering faster rights clearance and technology-driven licensing solutions. This agility is enabling them to capture new opportunities and gradually increase their presence in the evolving music publishing market landscape. 

Check out more details and stay updated with the latest industry trends, including the Japanese version for localized insights: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/ja/industry-reports/music-publishing-market?utm_source=Industrytoday.co.uk  

Music Publishing Market Segmentation 

By Royalties: Performance Royalties, Synchronisation Royalties, Digital Revenue, Mechanical Royalties, Print Royalties, Other Royalties,

By Publisher Type: Major Publishers, Independent Publishers, Digital-Native Publishers, Production Music Libraries,

By Rights Type: Mechanical Rights, Performance Rights, Synchronisation Rights, Print Music Rights, Neighbouring Rights,

By Usage Platform: Streaming – Audio, Video Streaming Platforms, Social Media Platforms, Traditional Broadcast (Radio and TV), Live Events and Venues, Video Games and Interactive Media,

By Geography: North America (United States, Canada, Mexico), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Rest of South America), Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Rest of Middle East), Africa (South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Rest of Africa) 

Key Players in the Music Publishing Market 

• Sony Music Publishing LLC 
• Universal Music Publishing Group Inc. 
• Warner Chappell Music Inc. 
• Kobalt Music Group Ltd. 
• BMG Rights Management GmbH 

Explore more insights on Music Publishing competitive landscape: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/music-publishing-market/companies?utm_source=Industrytoday.co.uk  

Dominating Country 

The United States remains the leading country in the Music Publishing Market, accounting for a significant share of global revenue. Strong enforcement of copyright laws, mature royalty collection systems, and the presence of major publishers support market leadership. Streaming platforms headquartered or heavily operating in the US contribute to high volumes of licensed music usage across audio, video, and social platforms. 

Conclusion 

The Music Publishing Market continues to move toward a more digital, rights-driven structure where streaming platforms, social media usage, and content licensing define long-term direction. As music consumption expands across audio, video, live events, and interactive media, the Music Publishing Industry remains central to monetizing creative works fairly and consistently. Ongoing demand for licensed content, combined with global platform reach and catalog value, supports steady Music Publishing Market Growth. 

Explore related reports from Mordor Intelligence 

Cloud Music Services Market - https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cloud-music-services-market?utm_source=Industrytoday.co.uk  

Digital Audio Workstation Market - https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/digital-audio-workstation-market?utm_source=Industrytoday.co.uk  

Digital Media Market - https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/digital-media-market?utm_source=Industrytoday.co.uk 

About Mordor Intelligence: 

Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking actionable market insights. With 550+ domain experts and specialists across 150+ countries, we deliver comprehensive syndicated and custom research across industries such as aerospace, agriculture, chemicals, consumer goods, energy, healthcare, and many more, helping organizations make informed decisions and achieve strategic goals. 

For any inquiries or to access the full report, please contact: 

media@mordorintelligence.com 

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/