Mobile Menu

Sound Recording & Music Publishing in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Harry Dee Harry Dee London, United Kingdom Last Updated: May 2025 SIC UK-J592

Revenue

£14.2bn

2025-26

£15.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

43,081

Businesses

45,640

Wages

£X.Xbn

Sound Recording & Music Publishing in the UK industry analysis

The structure of music publishing has changed dramatically over the past decade. Music consumption has largely transitioned to streaming platforms, which now form the bulk of revenue for music publishers – data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) indicates that 69% of global music industry revenue stemmed from streaming services in 2024. This shift has given the music industry a fresh lease on life, as it previously struggled to get listeners to spend on music. As a result, music publishing revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 2.9% over the five years through 2025 to €14.2 billion. This includes a forecast rise of 2.2% in 2025.

Trends and Insights

  • Streaming dominates global music revenue. The growth of streaming has revived the previously struggling music industry, offering publishers’ revenue a boost.
  • Music streaming overtakes other formats in consumer music sales. The convenience offered by streaming platforms means they now dominate listening methods.
  • The music industry is dominated by the “Big 3”. Universal, Warner and Sony act as umbrella organisations, with a host of subsidiaries around the world.
Show more

Top Questions Answered in this Report

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom is £14.2bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

There are 45,640 businesses in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.7 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 4.0 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom include?

Publishing recorded audio and Distributing recorded audio are part of the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Publishers need to be aware of previous copyrighted work. Songs produced that are similar to previously created works are subject to potential legal action.

View more insights with purchase. View purchase options.

External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Streaming brings in more revenue for classic albums, boosting profit. Music now continues to bring in revenue for publishers long after initial release, supporting higher profitability.

View more insights with purchase. View purchase options.

Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Sound Recording & Music Publishing in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.