Non-profit CMO distributed nearly $1B in 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.— March 18, 2026 — SoundExchange has distributed more than $13 billion to recording artists and rights owners since its inception in 2003, the non-profit collective management organization (CMO) announced today.
In addition, SoundExchange reported Q4 2025 distributions were $247.7 million and unaudited 2025 full year distributions were $991.5 million, 5.9% lower than 2024.
A number of factors led to the year-over-year drop in distributions, including fewer settlements than the previous year, lower reported SiriusXM revenue, and the cumulative impact of underpayment from SiriusXM that led SoundExchange to sue the satellite broadcaster in 2023.
“Distributing nearly a billion dollars in 2025 and surpassing$13 billion in lifetime distributions shortly after speaks to SoundExchange’s enduring mission to put creators first and underscores the scale of what collective licensing can achieve,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange. “Every dollar represents our responsibility to serve creators and demonstrates the trust placed in SoundExchange and the critical role we play in powering the modern digital music marketplace.”
SoundExchange is the largest neighboring rights collective in the world and operates under the lowest administration rate among comparable entities. The sole organization designated by the U.S. government to administer statutory non-interactive digital performance royalties for more than 800,000 music creators, SoundExchange is trusted by nearly 500,000 artists and rights owners to collect their international royalties.
About SoundExchange
SoundExchange is the largest global neighboring rights organization in the world, redefining how creators in the music industry get paid. By turning data into fast, accurate revenue for artists and rights owners, we have collected and distributed more than $13 billion in digital performance royalties to date on behalf of more than 800,000 music creators. As the sole organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange seamlessly collects and distributes digital performance royalties from platforms like Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and thousands more, as well as all available international performance royalties through a strong global partnership network. For more information, visit soundexchange.com.