UBC distributes more than BRL 1 billion in 2025, setting a new all-time record
For the first time in its history, UBC distributed more than BRL 1 billion to its members and represented rightsholders in 2025, reaching a major milestone. As Brazil's largest collective management organization for music copyright, UBC alone accounted for 62% of all royalties distributed over the course of the year by ECAD, Brazil’s Central Office for the Collection and Distribution of Public Performance Rights.
UBC's total distributions grew by nearly 8% compared with the previous year, underscoring the strength of Brazil's collective copyright management sector, which continues to show solid and sustained growth.
According to UBC CEO Marcelo Castello Branco, the record-breaking performance reflects the organization's unwavering commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for its members:
"This record distribution is the result of our disciplined approach to day-to-day operations, our ongoing and increasingly significant investments in technology and innovation, and our commitment to being a progressive, inclusive and diverse collective management organization —one whose identity has been shaped over nearly 85 years by keeping a close eye on today's realities while preparing for tomorrow's challenges."
The number of Brazilian rightsholders receiving royalties through UBC grew by nearly 10%, surpassing 32,000 in 2025. Internationally, the organization distributed royalties to more than 200,000 represented rightsholders worldwide, reflecting the expansion of its reciprocal representation agreements with sister societies across the globe. One notable example is the agreement signed with China, announced in March this year.
Additional indicators also demonstrate UBC's continued commitment to improving its services. Distributions of previously unmatched royalties increased by 6%, registrations of members' musical works rose 10%, sound recording registrations grew 23%, and total membership expanded by 5%.
Key figures at a glance:
As UBC's Chief Operations Officer, Fabio Geovane, noted:
"The year 2025 marked another important milestone in UBC's ongoing growth and development. Amid constant changes across the music business and the audiovisual marketplace, we reaffirmed our commitment to excellence in collective copyright management, delivering historic results for our members and represented rightsholders."
He added:
"We will continue investing in innovation, technology, transparency and operational excellence so that the years ahead bring even greater growth and create even more value for the entire music industry community.”
Collections also reach an all-time high
The Brazilian collective management system as a whole —which includes UBC and the six other member societies of ECAD— also achieved a historic milestone in 2025. Total royalties collected from music users reached BRL 2.105 billion, an increase of nearly 15% compared to 2024.
Growth was led by Digital Services, which include audio and video streaming platforms, with collections rising 47.2% year over year. Live Concerts and Events followed, posting a 13.2% increase.
Other key revenue sources continued to include General Users —such as retail stores, shopping malls, fitness centers, hotels and other businesses that use music— as well as Television, among other sectors.
The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of each segment's share of collections and year-over-year growth.
Other highlights:
Beyond the financial results, the 2025 Annual Report also looks back on some of UBC's most significant initiatives throughout the year, including:
• The UBC Award honoring Zeca Pagodinho;
• The second edition of UBC's all-female songwriting camp, Por Elas Que Fazem a Música (By The Women Who Make Music), held this time in partnership with the Portuguese authors' society SPA;
• The UBC Traditions Award, honoring the acclaimed singer and songwriter Rosa Passos;
• The second season of the podcast Palavra de Autor (Songwriter’s Voice), produced in partnership with composer and musician Celso Fonseca;
• The UBC Medal awarded to Luiz Caldas; and
• The launch of UBC's new website, featuring a virtual assistant, Chiquinha.
Reflecting on the organization's activities throughout the year, Marcelo Castello Branco said:
"Throughout 2025, UBC continued to celebrate some of Brazil's greatest living music icons, including Luiz Caldas, Rosa Passos and Zeca Pagodinho. We also promoted educational and networking initiatives that brought creators and industry professionals together. On the public policy front, we remained highly engaged in Brasília, working alongside our members and leadership team to help shape an ethical and responsible regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence in Brazil and around the world."
He concluded:
"Our goal is to ensure that this technology respects creators' rights and provides them with fair compensation. Protecting creators remains our highest priority and the principle that guides everything we do."
Check out the full 2025 Annual Report.
About UBC:
UBC - Brazilian Union of Composers - is a non-profit association that works in the collective management of music copyright, representing authors, performers, musicians, publishers, and record producers.
Founded in 1942 by authors, UBC still operates today with dynamism, excellence in information technology, and transparency, representing over 70,000 members.