Title: French Streaming Growth Below Expectations: Challenges and Opportunities
In an evolving music industry landscape, France’s recorded music revenues marked a modest growth of 3.4% in the first half of 2025, reaching €432 million, according to recent figures from SNEP. Despite this upward trajectory, the 4.9% increase in paid subscriptions, comprising nearly 63% of the market, is still perceived as lagging industry expectations. This raises questions about the dynamics of France’s music consumption and opportunities for further expansion.
While France held its position as the world’s sixth-largest recorded music market in 2024 with 7.5% growth, this year’s figures reveal a slowdown, especially in streaming. Yet, the resilience of the music sector remains evident compared to other entertainment avenues. Notably, physical sales experienced a 4.4% rise, with a noteworthy 9.4% increase in vinyl purchases, underscoring a diverse consumer appetite.
However, ad-supported audio streaming revenues grew a mere 2%, and video formats saw a decline of 6.8% due to the shift towards short-form visual content on social platforms. These trends reflect broader global shifts and highlight areas of untapped potential. France mirrors Germany with a strong local artist presence; two-thirds of their top 200 albums last year were domestic, and export value jumped by 19% in 2024.
Despite structural challenges such as revenue concentration and market control by major players, optimism exists within the independent sector. Guilhelm Cottet of UPFI highlighted the impact of AI and fraud on streaming growth, while Deezer’s Azzedine Fall expressed optimism about uncharted opportunities for artists, platforms, and fans to collaborate and flourish within the market.
According to SNEP’s Director General Alexandre Lasch, the focus should shift from merely attracting new subscribers to expanding platform usage, engaging younger audiences while capturing the attention of older demographics. This nuanced approach could foster a more inclusive streaming ecosystem and unlock new growth pathways.
SONGLENS recognizes the intricate dynamics shaping the French music industry as reflective of broader trends. We remain committed to championing emerging voices and nurturing transformative collaborations that shape the cultural and economic future of music.
