New issue of Music & Copyright with Brazil country report

The latest issue of Music & Copyright is now available for subscribers to download. Here are some of the highlights.

Recorded-music market share gains for SME and the indies, publishing share growth for UMPG and WCM
Music & Copyright’s annual survey of the recorded-music and music publishing sectors has revealed the changes in global market share for the three major music groups and the independent sector. Overall, UMG remained the global music company leader last year, but second-placed Sony closed the gap. UMG’s recorded-music share was down slightly for the second consecutive year. In contrast, SME has now registered share growth for two years in a row. WMG’s share fell back to the same level recorded in 2020, while the independent sector saw its share rise for the first time since 2018. For publishing, Sony’s lead over second-placed UMPG narrowed, while WCM’s share was up for the second straight year. The collective share for the independent sector edged down, but the size of the lead over Sony remained unchanged.

Six years of collection growth for Bulgaria’s Musicautor
Bulgarian authors’ society Musicautor has reported a sixth consecutive year of rising collections, with the growth rate for 2022 up sharply on the previous year. The two biggest income sources, TV and radio, both registered growth, while digital revenue was boosted by new licensing agreements with international OTT video services. Musicautor’s worst-affected collection sectors during the pandemic have all bounced back. Revenue from general licensing and concerts returned to prepandemic levels, while cinema and theater registered the highest income growth rates overall. Despite a rise in sales of physical formats in Bulgaria, mechanicals were down for a second straight year. However, international collections returned to growth after a dip in 2021.

Music majors need to press on with more vinyl investment
The vinyl revival clearly has staying power, with more young music fans developing a strong liking for the age-old physical format. However, if pressing plants had the ability to satisfy evident demand, the sales curve would rise more steeply, while many independent record companies and artists who currently find it hard to secure vinyl runs would be able to tap into expanded capacity. Leading record companies need to invest in the pressing sector. Moreover, the requirements of the modern world mean they must do so in an environmentally sustainable way. Their involvement could speed up the development of alternatives to energy-intensive and toxic vinyl.

Brazil country report
In addition to the usual set of music industry statistics and news briefs, the latest issue of Music & Copyright includes a detailed Brazil music industry report. Following two consecutive years of contraction, recorded-music trade sales in Brazil have now risen for six years in a row. Despite COVID-19 affecting performance rights and synchronization in 2020, streaming gains more than offset the declines. The two affected sectors returned to growth in 2021 and have now registered a positive 2022. Streaming gains also boosted last year’s total along with a doubling in revenue from vinyl. Umbrella rights organization ECAD saw collections and distributions top record levels in 2022. Live music sales are on the road to recovery but are expected to remain short of prepandemic levels for a few years.

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