Facts & Research

Halfway through 2018, the United States music business “continues its comeback story, powered by great new music, talented artists and a re-invented record industry.”

2017 was the year that Latin music filled our playlists and dominated the airwaves like never before.  Revenues from Latin music in the United States grew 37% to $243 million. More than any other genre, the growth in streaming is powering Latin music’s resurgence, accounting for 84% of Latin music…

In 2017 revenues from recorded music in the United States increased 16.5% at estimated retail value to $8.7 billion, continuing the growth from the previous year.

Revenues from Latin music in the United States for the first half of 2017 were $115 million, up 44% versus the prior year. Latin music revenues comprised 2.9% of the total U.S. recorded music market, which totaled $4 billion in the first half of 2017. Streaming accounted for 82% of…

In the first half of 2017, growth in revenues from music subscription streaming services continued to offset declines in traditional unit based sales.

Revenues from Latin music in the United States grew 3% to $176 million in 2016. Streaming accounted for 74% of the Latin market, growing 19% year-over-year. This is the first growth in Latin music revenues since the market’s high point of $754 million reached in 2005.

Estimated retail revenues from recorded music in the United States grew 11.4% in 2016 to $7.7 billion.

For the first half of 2016, strong growth in revenues from subscription streaming services more than offset declines in unit based sales of physical and digital music download products. Overall revenues at retail increased 8.1% on a year-over-year basis to $3.4 billion, the strongest industry growth since the late 1990’s.

Because of Latin music’s importance to the American recorded music industry, the RIAA now lists comprehensive shipment data from the Latin sector. These figures, which are incorporated into the overall U.S. market report, break out the amount of Latin product into the domestic marketplace.

RIAA’s 2015 year-end music sales & shipments report is now out with a unique and comprehensive look at the state of the U.S. music business.