Reconstructed IFPI historical series of global recorded music revenues by format.
Shows the transition from physical formats to streaming and how other revenue streams evolved over time.
Posted by MusenAI
![[OC] Global recorded music industry revenues by format - 1999 to 2025](https://www.byteseu.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/dr661hji78qg1-1536x1074.png "[OC] Global recorded music industry revenues by format – 1999 to 2025")
Reconstructed IFPI historical series of global recorded music revenues by format.
Shows the transition from physical formats to streaming and how other revenue streams evolved over time.
Posted by MusenAI
16 Comments
Data sources:
• IFPI Global Music Report 2025 (historical series 1999–2024)
• IFPI Global Music Report 2026 (2025 totals and format breakdown confirmation)
Notes:
• Values are global recorded music trade revenues in current USD
• IFPI restates historical values annually using updated exchange rates, so older versions may differ
• Categories: Physical, Streaming, Downloads and other digital, Performance rights, Synchronisation
• Totals may show minor rounding differences
Tool:
• Data reconstructed and visualised manually using Figma
Next time I hear that “streaming destroyed music industry” I will vomit.
Care to explain what Synchronization is?
Outside of the obvious takeover of streaming revenue, it’s likely positive for artists that more income is coming from performances. From what I understand, the artists are taking a larger cut from that than anything else.
It’s an incredibly unpopular opinion in many circles, but Spotify saved the music industry.
The mixture of illegal and legal downloads almost killed it with help from people’s frustrations with spending $18 dollars (in 1999 money) on CDs when they often liked 1-2 songs.
really cool chart – shows two trends at the same time
More important data would be what % were artists getting of each year’s total revenue?
Funny – it took relatively modest sales in the 90’s to enable someone to make a living selling music. Today, with much higher revenues, it is hard even with massive streaming numbers. 🤔
Cool chart. Don’t suppose you could show the physical format split across vinyl, tape, cd etc.?
It looks like “Downloads/others digital” was the iTunes/Zune era.
To me, what’s fascinating is that “Performance Rights” have increased. That should be a good sign, right?
I guess they found a better solution than suing their customers! +1 for innovation.
I like this graph, and it would also be cool to see a separate graph adjusted for inflation- I don’t know if music has got “smaller” as an industry as other forms of entertainment have become more readily available, if the increase in accessibility has made it “bigger”, or it’s just the same and a fairly boring conclusion.
For interviews in the music industry, especially if you’re getting into data, it’s good to know the major changes in revenue sources. Be ready to discuss why streaming became popular and how it’s affected artists and labels. You might also want to share your thoughts on what the next big thing could be, like new revenue streams or shifts in how people consume music. For prep, if you need resources on industry trends and interview questions, I’ve found PracHub helpful for that.
Streaming really killed the physical formats, huh? Lol, vinyl’s comeback is kinda wild though.
Would be curious how much of physical is CDs/DVDs and Vinyl respectively.