SGAE distributed 360 million euros among over 97,000 members in 2025
The General Society of Authors and Publishers (SGAE) distributed a total of €360 million in royalties to its members in 2025, a 3.1% increase on 2024. The growth was accompanied by a notable rise in the number of beneficiaries receiving income, up 16.5% in the year to reach 97,415 authors and composers.
SGAE achieved its highest ever revenue in 2025, with a total of €393 million collected by the non-profit organisation. A significant contributor to this growth was the reduction in administration fees to 16.57%. The gradual year-on-year fall in these management costs has resulted in an additional €8 million in royalties distributed since 2021.
SGAE’s membership is also growing rapidly, especially among young creators. The organisation registered a total of 8,118 new members in 2025, a 64.1% increase over 2024. More than a third of these new members are in the twenties age bracket.
Record revenue across different categories
SGAE closed the 2025 financial year with its highest ever annual revenue, a total of €393.4 million surpassing the €390.1 million achieved in 2024. Revenue has followed a strong upward trend over the last five years and the figure for 2025 is 52% above the level reported for 2021.
By category, the international market showed the highest percentage growth, at 14.3%. SGAE’sevenue from abroad reached a new all-time high for the third consecutive year, despite unfavourable exchange rates, totalling €40.2 million. The United States, Mexico, Germany, Italy, Argentina and France were the main markets for the repertoire managed by SGAE.
Revenue from digital markets also reached a record high, totalling €64.1 million, a 6.1% increase over the previous year. Music streaming was the main source of digital revenue, generating €41 million, 22.3% more than the previous year. Audiovisual platforms contributed €22.4 million, representing to 35% of overall revenue.
Live performances generated €72.7 million, 13.3% more than the previous year and the highest amount ever. This figure sustains the upward trend followed over the last five years. The rise of large-scale events and the continuing strong public appetite for live events and entertainment played a key role in this growth.
Revenue generated by popular music concerts and tours rose 14.6% to €55.8 million in 2025. Concertsby AC/DC, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Blackpink and Stray Kids were some of the major music events that generated the highest revenue in royalties in 2025.
Revenue from symphonic concerts came to €3.7 million, a 21% increase over 2024. Meanwhile, revenue from performing arts reached €13.1 million, 6.3% more than in the previous year.
The largest source of revenue collections for creators in was the €110.8 million generated in the radio/TV broadcasting and cable sector. This income source is also maintaining a positive trend.
Royalties from public performances (live music as a secondary activity, distribution of recorded music, film projections, etc.) reached €80.1 million, an 8.3% increase over the previous year.
Private copying, at €17.9 million, and royalties from the sale of physical media, at €3.1 million, completed the bulk of SGAE’s revenue in the 2025 financial year.
Over 9 million euros invested in promotional and professional activities
In 2025, SGAE allocated more than €9 million to promotional and professional development activities for its members. Among other actions, it awarded 422 direct grants through the SGAE Foundation aimed at fostering internationalisation and creative work; it also distributed 200 social aid packages, organised 351 promotional activities and set up a training programme in which 6,250 students participated.
2025: Start of the SGAE28 strategic plan
The results obtained in the year, in terms of revenue, efficiency and value for members, are helping drive the implementation of the SGAE28 strategic plan, launched in 2025. Its goal is to develop a more agile and innovative organisational framework, optimising current operations and exploring new sources of income. The plan makes SGAE members the fundamental focus, alongside a solid investment in technology.
SGAE, on the Board of Directors of the CISAC
On 29 May 2025, SGAE was re-elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC). The board consists of 20 of the 227 member societies. This reappointment is further proof of the international recognition received by the SGAE for its transformative project. SGAE is one of the 10 most important collective management organisations worldwide.
About SGAE
The General Society of Authors and Publishers (SGAE) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the defence and collective management of intellectual property rights in the performing arts, audiovisual and music sectors. It has more than 140,000 members (authors and composers, music publishers and heirs) and represents over four million rights holders, with a repertoire of over 80 million works in more than 200 countries and regions.
Statement by Cristina Perpiñá-Robert, CEO of SGAE:
“The positive results we are reporting for 2025 put SGAE in the best possible position to introduce changes that will better serve our members in the future. Our strategic plan has a clear goal, which is to create a more efficient, modern and agile organisational framework with a greater ability to create value to our members, who are the mainstay of the project. It’s not just about improving processes, it’s about strengthening our position in the copyright market, increasing our capacity to generate revenue, and ensuring an increasingly fair and efficient distribution of royalties.”