It is not necessarily a surprise that ASCAP had a positive 2025, but what is impressive is the records they broke. The organization’s biggest year ever came from record revenue that reached $1.945 billion and $1.749 billion in royalty distributions. Those are payments sent to songwriters, composers, and publisher members. That’s no less than 112 years of records the organization beat last year.
ASCAP, the performing rights organization (PRO) with more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers, is the only performing rights organization in the US that operates as a not-for-profit. The PRO collects royalties from broadcasters, streaming services, and other venues to then distribute those funds to the members based on the usage of their music. Many publishers who own and manage copyrights to musical compositions partner with the ASCAP to license those works for public performance.
Music Report Continues Impressive Streak
In February of 2025, the agency revealed it had broken records in 2024, with distributions reaching $1.835 billion, a year-over-year increase of 5.7% from 2023 to 2024. It also reported $1.696 billion in royalty distributions, up an impressive 6.5% over the previous year. The 2025 figures blow those out of the water.
Breaking Down the Details of the Music Report
In its release of these details, ASCAP noted that the growth in 2025 was a direct result of improvements in streaming, radio, general licensing, and international collections. Specifically, the organization noted a $474 million bottom line in foreign revenue for the year. Domestic licensed performances also grew to $1.471 billion. The range is clearly indicative of how diversified performance income has become.
According to the reports, the agency returned about 90 cents for every dollar it collected to creators. It maintained just 10% of those funds to cover overhead costs. The agency has seen year-over-year growth since 2016.
Other key figures from the report indicate:
- 80,000 new members were added in 2025.
- Total membership climbed to 1.1 million.
- Foreign distribution grew at a very high rate of 10%, demonstrating the pull of global audiences.
The increased membership and global reach both demonstrate that performance royalties remain a meaningful revenue stream, especially when works are properly registered. That is critical for new creators. For those who are more established, steady collection growth provides a better indication of predictable returns within the industry, even as that industry continues to shift through new distribution models.
What the ASCAP Report Means to the Music Industry and Independent Talent
These figures are impressive, but what do they indicate for the performers behind the scenes? The increases in royalty collections are a benefit to all creators, including songwriters, composers, and performers. That’s an important distinction.
The undertone in the industry has been that of moving away from sustainable revenue for artists. Even in situations where we break this down by artist, live performances, background music licensing, international usage, and streaming radio are just a component of the revenue available.
This growth also continues to show in the agency itself. ASCAP is the only remaining nonprofit PRO organization left in the US. But, unlike others, it continues to grow. This is due, at least in part, to their dedication to supporting and advocating for the user base. The agency remains committed to putting creators at the head.
ASCAP Highlights
Speaking of the growth, the ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board, Paul Williams, shared what he believed made 2025 an impressive year. Among those claims was the distribution of $1 million in emergency relief to songwriters and composer members impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
Additionally, the organization reached a landmark settlement with the Radio Music License Committee. That move led to an increase in royalty rates for over 10,000 commercial terrestrial radio stations in the U.S.
AI and the Music Industry
Williams also notes the efforts the agency took by submitting comments to the Copyright Office to combat claims from licensees that were looking to pay less for the use of artists' music.
Another area in which ASCAP has made a name for itself is in its advocacy efforts on behalf of creators against the use of AI. The organization’s advocacy work around generative AI, including the efforts to demonstrate that unauthorized use of copyrighted music for AI training was unfair use, made a difference.
In writing about those efforts, Williams stated, “And helping shape Federal policy around generative AI, making clear that technological progress must strengthen – not diminish – the rights and livelihoods of music creators.”
It is clear that the music industry’s landscape continues to change, and with the growth of ASCAP, it is clear that the PRO is still an important force within the industry, even if it is one of only a handful still available.
