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The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) has released its industry perspective on the CISAC Global Collections Report 2025, which records another year of unprecedented global royalties for authors, composers, and publishers. The report positions India among the fastest-growing music markets worldwide, reflecting the rapid expansion of streaming and digital consumption.
According to CISAC, global collections rose to EUR 13.97 billion in 2024, with digital revenues surpassing EUR 5 billion for the first time. Emerging markets like India, however, continue to show a stark imbalance: creator earnings remain overwhelmingly dependent on digital income. Creator revenues in India grew by 40.5% in 2024, reaching EUR 80.5 million up from just EUR 5.4 million a decade ago placing IPRS as the fourth-largest society in the Asia-Pacific region. Digital contributed 82.7% of the total, driven by a major back payment and the continued shift from free to paid streaming.
Live and background collections also grew, crossing EUR 10 million for the first time and contributing 14% of the market. Broadcast income, however, fell sharply to 2.3% due to deferred payments.
CISAC notes that India and Vietnam are among the world's fastest-expanding digital markets, with one of the highest digital revenue shares globally. IPRS's latest Annual Report mirrors this trend: in FY 2024–25, IPRS recorded its strongest performance to date, with total collections rising 42% to ₹741.6 crore and royalty distributions increasing 21% to ₹608.8 crore. Streaming revenue alone crossed ₹600 crore, growing 59% year-on-year.
Yet, India's overdependence on digital contrasts sharply with global patterns. Internationally, television and radio broadcasting account for 28% of music royalties, and live & background uses for another 26%. In India, these sectors remain significantly underdeveloped. Broadcast TV & Radio Royalties have not reached their potential as both the sectors remain non complaint and public performance revenues, though they rose to ₹101.7 crore, face widespread non-compliance. Even as India becomes a major destination for large-scale music festivals such as Lollapalooza India, Rolling Loud, and the Cherry Blossom Festival, the publishing income generated from live events remains disproportionately low due to limited licensing adherence and low awareness of copyright obligations.
"The CISAC report validates India's position as a dynamic and rapidly growing music market, but it also signals the urgent need for greater compliance across the ecosystem," said Rakesh Nigam, CEO of IPRS. "Digital platforms cannot be the sole driver of creator income. Broadcasters, radio networks, event organisers, venues, and every commercial user of music must recognise their duty to pay for what they use. Fair remuneration is the foundation of a healthy creative economy."
With membership now exceeding 20,000 and India emerging as a key player in the Asia-Pacific region, IPRS sees the country at an inflection point. A vibrant creator base, global collaborations through initiatives like KOLAB songwriting residency programmes, Music Showcase Festival - Soundscapes of India, and data systems achieving 96% metadata accuracy are strengthening the foundation of the music ecosystem. But without stronger compliance from traditional sectors broadcast, radio, commercial establishments, and live events the long-term sustainability of creator earnings remains at risk.
The CISAC report also raises red flags regarding generative AI. It projects a potential 24% decline in creator revenues by 2028, with GenAI outputs reaching EUR 40 billion and accounting for up to 60% of music library catalogues. This underscores the urgency for robust regulatory frameworks that protect human creativity.
Commenting on the study, CISAC President, Bjorn Ulvaeus mentioned, "In 2024, authors' societies delivered record royalties to creators worldwide. This achievement is a cause for celebration, reflecting the resilience of collective management and the value of creative works in a growing market. At the same time, the advent of artificial intelligence signals a profound shift for our sector proof that progress and disruption can exist side by side, and that the future of creativity will be shaped by how we reconcile both realities." He further added, "We must keep humanity at the heart of creation. What we truly need now are political champions to ensure that respect for human authorship is not pushed aside in the race for innovation.
Under India's Copyright Act, 1957, and its 2012 Amendment, music creators retain an inalienable right to royalty for their lyrics and compositions. Licensing compliance is not only a legal mandate but a cultural responsibility essential to safeguarding the livelihoods of India's creative workforce.
The principle remains straightforward: those who use music must pay for it. Strengthening licensing compliance across all platforms and touchpoints will be crucial to unlocking the next chapter of India's music publishing growth.
