Canadian Artists Earn $460M Spotify Royalties Globally

Spotify's 2024 Loud & Clear report highlights the global success of Canadian artists on its platform, with nearly $460 million CAD earned in royalties—a 5% increase from the previous year—and 92% of those royalties generated from international listeners. The report underscores the rise of Canadian talent like The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, and Céline Dion, who have significantly influenced the global music scene, with Canadian artists streaming 15 million hours daily worldwide. Spotify has become the largest source of music royalties in Canada, paying more in royalties to the Canadian music sector than the entire Canadian commercial radio industry combined. However, this success is set against a backdrop of regulatory tension, as Canadian authorities introduced a 5% levy on global streaming services' local revenues to fund Canadian content, prompting Spotify and other streaming giants to legally challenge the measure. The streaming services argue that they already contribute substantially to Canadian artists and warn that the levy could lead to higher subscription costs, a concern reflected in Spotify's recent price increase in Canada. These developments reveal both the growing global demand for Canadian music and the complex policy debates around supporting local creators in the evolving streaming economy.