Contents
- Music streaming subscriptions statistics: global paid subscriber growth and revenue
- Music streaming subscriptions statistics: U.S. scale and spending
- Music streaming subscriptions: listener engagement and value
- Music streaming subscriptions: discovery and artist connection
- Music streaming subscriptions: features and listening habits
- Sources
Music streaming subscriptions statistics: global paid subscriber growth and revenue
Worldwide, paid streaming subscription accounts had 837 million users in 2025, more than 11% above 2024. This is a count of users of paid subscription accounts, as reported; the wording does not establish a count of unique individuals. It describes the reach of paid access, while a separate set of measures tracks streaming revenue and its share of recorded music income. IFPI, Global Music Report 2026; DIMA Annual Report 2026
In 2025, global paid subscription streaming revenue grew by 8.8%. Paid subscription streaming accounted for 52.4% of global recorded music revenues. The broader total for all streaming formats was more than US$22 billion, representing 69.6% of global recorded music income. The paid-subscription share is one part of the all-streaming figure; the measures describe different revenue scopes. IFPI, Global Music Report 2026
| Global measure | Reported value | Scope and period |
|---|---|---|
| Users of paid streaming subscription accounts | 837 million | Worldwide, 2025 |
| Change in paid subscription-account users | More than 11% above 2024 | Worldwide, 2025 versus 2024 |
| Paid subscription streaming revenue growth | 8.8% | Worldwide, 2025 |
| Paid subscription streaming share of recorded music revenue | 52.4% | Worldwide, 2025 |
| Revenue from all streaming formats | More than US$22 billion | Worldwide, 2025 |
| All-streaming share of recorded music income | 69.6% | Worldwide, 2025 |
Together, these figures show paid account-user growth alongside the revenue contribution of subscription streaming and streaming as a whole. They do not identify what caused the growth or allow the user count to be read as a count of individual subscribers. IFPI, Global Music Report 2026; DIMA Annual Report 2026
Music streaming subscriptions statistics: U.S. scale and spending
In the United States, paid music subscriptions reached 130 million in 2025. DIMA also reported more than 250 million music-streaming users that year. These are separate measures: one counts paid subscriptions, while the other refers to users. DIMA further reported that 49% of U.S. internet users aged 13–70 personally paid for music services. That percentage applies to an age-defined internet-user population, not all U.S. residents. DIMA Annual Report 2026
| U.S. measure | Reported value | Population or scope |
|---|---|---|
| Paid music subscriptions | 130 million | United States, 2025 |
| Music-streaming users | More than 250 million | United States, 2025 |
| Personally paid for music services | 49% | U.S. internet users aged 13–70, 2025 |
Spending measures add context, but they are not subscription prices. DIMA reported that U.S. paid on-demand streaming subscribers spent an average of $614 annually across recorded music in its 2025 research. The category covers recorded-music spending, rather than the cost of a streaming plan. The report also says paid on-demand subscribers accounted for 70% of primary music revenues, a broad category that includes subscriptions, CDs, vinyl, downloads, live activity, and merchandise. This share is not streaming revenue alone. DIMA Annual Report 2026
A related DIMA spending graphic reports paid on-demand streamers as 48% of the U.S. internet population aged 13–70. The denominator is internet users in that age range. It provides population context for the spending comparisons, but does not change the meaning of the annual spending amount or the broad primary-revenue measure. DIMA Annual Report 2026
Music streaming subscriptions: listener engagement and value
DIMA’s U.S. findings describe frequent use among paid subscribers and streamers. Among paid subscribers, 58% used their favorite music streaming service every day. Separately, 33% of streamers said they used streaming services several times a week. The groups and frequency descriptions differ, so these are individual findings rather than entries in a single frequency distribution. DIMA Annual Report 2026
U.S. streamers averaged 10.3 hours per week listening to music and music-video streaming. Since the measure combines music and music videos, it is not an audio-only listening estimate. In self-reports, 38% said access to streaming let them listen to more music than they otherwise would, and 34% said streaming had increased how often they listened. These are reported experiences, not independently measured changes in listening time or frequency. DIMA Annual Report 2026
| U.S. engagement measure | Reported value | Group or definition |
|---|---|---|
| Daily use of favorite service | 58% | Paid subscribers |
| Use several times a week | 33% | Streamers |
| Weekly listening time | 10.3 hours | Music and music-video streaming |
| Streaming access lets listeners hear more music | 38% | Streamers’ self-reports |
| Streaming increased listening frequency | 34% | Streamers’ self-reports |
Reported satisfaction and value were also high: 94% of U.S. streamers said they liked or loved their favorite service, while 90% rated it good, very good, or excellent value for their money. These survey responses describe sentiment about the service. They do not give plan prices or indicate how much each respondent listened. DIMA Annual Report 2026
Music streaming subscriptions: discovery and artist connection
For new-music discovery, 69% of respondents identified streaming as a main source. Playlists were the most widely used discovery tool, at 57%, followed by recommendations at 47%. Respondents may use multiple sources and tools, so the percentages should be read separately rather than added together. DIMA Annual Report 2026
Streaming also served as a route to both older music and new releases. Among streamers, 88% used it to discover older songs from years gone by that they had never heard, and 78% used it to find new releases. Among streamers who actively discover music, 71% said they now listened to music they discover more regularly. That last figure applies to active discoverers, not all streamers. DIMA Annual Report 2026
| Discovery or artist-connection measure | Reported value | Group or reported use |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming as a main source of new-music discovery | 69% | Respondents |
| Playlists used to discover music | 57% | Respondents |
| Recommendations used to discover music | 47% | Respondents |
| Discover older songs not previously heard | 88% | Streamers |
| Find new releases | 78% | Streamers |
| Listen more regularly to discovered music | 71% | Streamers who actively discover music |
| New releases deepen connection to a favorite artist | 40% | Streamers’ reported experience |
| Explore an artist’s catalog | 38% | Streamers’ reported experience |
Artist connection appears in 2 additional reported experiences. Some 40% said their favorite service deepened their connection to a favorite artist by introducing new releases; 38% said it helped them explore an artist’s catalog more deeply. These responses concern perceived connection. They do not measure artist revenue, release performance, or the number of artists followed. DIMA Annual Report 2026
Music streaming subscriptions: features and listening habits
Convenience and discovery featured among reasons for choosing streaming. In DIMA’s U.S. research, 78% of streamers cited access, connectivity, and portability. Another 51% valued help finding music they wanted, while 29% said they used streaming specifically to discover emerging and local artists. Recommendations and curated playlists were a driving factor in streaming preference for 48%. These are reported reasons and benefits; they do not establish that a particular feature caused anyone to subscribe. DIMA Annual Report 2026
When comparing streaming with other music formats, 61% identified catalog depth or the ability to find music they wanted as an advantage. Another 69% identified customization tailored to personal tastes. Reported feature use included song lyrics for 43%, personalized playlists based on listening history for 39%, and music videos for 20%. Perceived advantages and feature use address different questions. DIMA Annual Report 2026
| Feature measure | Reported value | What respondents reported |
|---|---|---|
| Access, connectivity, and portability | 78% | Reasons for choosing streaming |
| Help finding wanted music | 51% | Perceived benefit |
| Discover emerging and local artists | 29% | Specific use |
| Recommendations and curated playlists | 48% | Driving factor in preference |
| Catalog depth or finding wanted music | 61% | Advantage over other formats |
| Customization tailored to personal tastes | 69% | Advantage over other formats |
| Song lyrics | 43% | Feature used |
| Personalized playlists based on listening history | 39% | Feature used |
| Music videos | 20% | Feature used |
Respondents also expressed interest in possible service additions. Higher-quality audio, including hi-resolution, Dolby Atmos, lossless, or Hi-Fi, interested 76% of streamers. Short-form video clips and exclusive music content for paid subscribers each interested 72%. Early access to concert tickets through a streaming service interested 70%. These are interest levels for possible features; they do not establish that every service offers them or that respondents would pay extra. DIMA Annual Report 2026
DIMA’s methodology describes a U.S. study of respondents aged 13–70, weighted to represent the U.S. internet-using population. The report PDF and DIMA’s release give conflicting fieldwork details, so the survey findings here are attributed to the report without assigning them a fieldwork date. IFPI’s worldwide market figures are distinct 2025 measures, not U.S. survey results. DIMA Annual Report 2026; DIMA’s 2026 Annual Report Shows Consumer Engagement with Music Streaming Continues to Soar