Music streaming services will pay more to artists for the next five years

The US Copyright Royalty Board has proposed new rates for how much music streaming services must pay artists. These rates will apply to new subscription services from 2026 through 2030.

For years, the rates paid to artists for digital music streams have been a point of contention, with artists arguing they are too low. This proposal sets a new baseline for the next five years, which means more money will flow to artists and record labels. It also provides certainty for new streaming services entering the market, as they will know their royalty costs upfront.