The US music business has hit a milestone, as more than 100 million paying streaming subscribers are now driving its explosive growth. Paid subscription services accounted for an eye-popping 79 percent of total streaming revenues, the new figures say, highlighting streaming’s dominant position in today’s music landscape.
This milestone is part of a larger trend in which online platforms continue to redefine the way Americans listen to music. From international superstars to emerging independent artists, musicians are taking advantage of the greater reach and access provided by these platforms.
Industry leaders note that the expansion is balancing declining physical album sales and downloads, which have declined steadily in the last decade. Streaming now supports the backbone of the industry’s revenue, bringing in billions of dollars a year.
The trend is expected to continue as companies such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music experiment with original content and AI-driven personalization, signing up still more subscribers in the coming years.
