Technology, creativity, global momentum to power Indian music industry in 2025

As we conclude another year, it is essential to reflect on the key developments, challenges, and achievements that have shaped different sectors throughout the past 12 months. The year 2024 has been marked by dynamic shifts, rapid innovation, and the continued adaptation to both external factors and emerging trends.

Adgully’s annual feature – REWIND – revisits different sectors and identifies the key developments as well gauges the long-term impacts of those developments. We speak to a cross-section of industry leaders to bring a 360-degree view of the industry landscape, the growth trends, financial performance, disruptions, innovations, challenges and more.

In this REWIND 2024 article, The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS), provides an overview of the music industry in 2024, the challenges due to the rapid rise of AI in music, the rise and rise of the streaming platforms, expectations from 2025, and much more.

The Music Industry and the Indian Economy in 2024

2024 was a landmark year for the Indian economy and the music industry alike. The Indian economy maintained its robust growth trajectory, with significant strides in infrastructure, digital innovation, and international collaboration. India’s increasing appetite for diverse and localized content, fuelled by rapid smartphone penetration and affordable data, has significantly boosted consumption across sectors, including entertainment.

The music industry mirrored this growth, benefiting from the digital revolution, evolving consumption patterns, and the thriving creator economy. Streaming platforms remained dominant, regional and independent music flourished, and live events rebounded strongly post-pandemic, making 2024 a pivotal year for the sector.

Overall, the year has been a mixed bag for the music industry, marked by both promising strides and emerging challenges. On the one hand, the streaming model has opened unprecedented opportunities for emerging artists, making it easier than ever to gain visibility and connect with audiences worldwide. However, the rapid rise of AI in music creation and distribution has introduced unforeseen complexities, raising questions about copyright, authenticity, and the value of human creativity.

Additionally, challenges like the value gap in creator royalties, piracy, and under-optimization of licensing revenues persisted, underscoring the need for robust collective rights management to ensure fair value for creators. This duality highlights the evolving landscape of the industry, where innovation and disruption go hand in hand, presenting opportunities and challenges as two inseparable sides of the same coin.

Key trends and developments

Streaming platforms dominated the music industry’s revenue growth in 2024, driven by the increasing popularity of localized and regional language content. Enhanced by AI-powered music recommendations, these platforms offered highly personalized user experiences, keeping listeners engaged like never before. Regional music emerged as a force to be reckoned with, captivating audiences across urban and rural areas. Significant investments in native language content not only fueled this growth but also provided a substantial boost to regional artists, bringing their talent to the forefront.

The creator economy thrived as independent artists gained unprecedented empowerment through digital tools that allowed them to distribute, monetize, and promote their work directly to their audiences. Platforms like social media and short-video apps further amplified their visibility, creating vibrant opportunities for self-made creators to flourish. At the same time, cross-border collaborations brought Indian music to international platforms, opening doors for Indian creators to enter global markets, expand their reach, and cultivate new fan bases worldwide.

Live music and festivals made a strong comeback, marking the resurgence of the live events industry. This revival introduced fresh revenue streams for independent artists, creators, publishers, and performance rights organizations, while also reigniting the magic of shared, in-person musical experiences.

Alongside these developments, there was a growing emphasis on copyright awareness, with increasing recognition of the importance of music rights, licensing, and royalties. Organizations like IPRS played a pivotal role in educating the industry and advocating for creators’ rights, fostering a more informed and equitable ecosystem for all stakeholders.

IPRS’s Performance and Achievements in 2024

In 2024, IPRS achieved remarkable milestones that underscored its growth and commitment to supporting music and those behind it. In March 2024, IPRS surpassed Rs 500 crore in income and Rs 500 crore in royalty payments for the financial year 2023-24, setting a new benchmark. By November 2024, IPRS reached Rs 500 crore in income within just eight months of FY 2024-25, achieving its fastest pace yet. During this period, royalty payouts exceeded Rs 350 crore – the highest ever for the first eight months of a financial year.

IPRS further reinforced its commitment to supporting its members by ensuring that royalties were distributed to all eligible creators and publishers. This year, over 11,900 members received royalty payments, representing nearly 75% of the total membership. Membership strength grew impressively, surpassing 16,000 – a 20% increase within just eight months of FY 2024-25, reflecting the organization’s expanding reach and influence.

The year also witnessed the launch of new initiatives aimed at showcasing Indian music and creating global opportunities. The Soundscape of India – Gateway to the World was a standout event, serving as both a global music conference and festival. This 3-day gathering highlighted India’s rich musical talent and cultural heritage, connecting it with international music promoters and paving the way for Indian creators to shine on the global stage.

Another pioneering initiative was KOLAB. The landmark collaboration between IPRS (The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd.) and KOMCA (Korean Music Copyright Association) gave birth to the Indo-Korean Songwriting Programme, a first-of-its-kind partnership between two prominent music copyright societies. This unique initiative brought together two culturally rich nations to foster creativity and cross-cultural exchange. Emerging artists and musical talent from both countries came together to produce distinctive works, further solidifying IPRS’s role in establishing innovative, global partnerships.

On the operational front, IPRS made significant strides by investing in technology to enhance efficiency and member services. The implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems marked a major step forward, streamlining operations and ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of technological advancements in copyright management.

These milestones and initiatives reflect IPRS’s commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem for music creators while positioning Indian music prominently on the global stage.

The trends, developments, innovations that are expected to dominate the Industry, Economy and its respective sector in 2025.

Brace yourself for a rapidly evolving music business in the coming year, driven by accelerated developments that will bring sweeping changes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a central role in shaping the future of music. AI-powered creativity will be more accessible than ever, with algorithms assisting artists in refining their final creative outputs.

From the perspective of music fans, streaming platforms will increasingly leverage analytics to predict consumer trends, offering listeners personalized, choice-driven music. We can also expect to see new subscription models and revenue sources emerge, charting a fresh course for the industry.

Technological innovations will transform fan-artist interactions, creating more immersive experiences.

Encouragingly, Indian music is gaining global momentum, with artists expanding their reach and connecting with new audiences and fan bases. Artist-driven music is also emerging as the preferred choice for today’s generation, which aligns with the streaming era. This shift is driven by factors such as the growth of independent and alternative music, the influence of social media, artist-led labels, and surge in music event and festivals. In 2025, India’s music industry stands poised to thrive in this dynamic ecosystem, driven by technology, creativity, and a global cultural exchange.

Expectations from 2025

IPRS will continue its effort to expand its reach and strengthen its connections with music creators, publishers, emerging artists, and stakeholders across India. As the premier representative body for music creators, we are keen to provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.

Technological advancements to improve operational efficiency and member services will remain our focus. By leveraging cutting-edge solutions, we aim to ensure timely, accurate royalty distribution while simplifying processes for creators and rights holders.

Enhancing revenue and royalties remains a top priority. Our efforts will continue on unlocking additional revenue streams in untapped sectors and new-age platforms, ensuring creators are fairly compensated for their work.

Strengthening international collaborations is key to opening global opportunities for Indian music creators, ensuring they receive the recognition and rewards they deserve.

IPRS will also prioritize member engagement through targeted programs that educate, empower, and protect creators. With AI and the related complications arising in the area of copyright IPRS will do its utmost to protect the rights of its members by advocating for clear legislation and ethical guidelines for AI usage.

As a vital pillar for music creators and publishers, our initiatives focus on ensuring fair remuneration, protecting creators’ rights, and fostering the ongoing growth of the music community. We remain committed to building a sustainable and thriving future for Indian music and its creators.

Headwinds and tailwinds that IPRS foresees in the coming year

Looking ahead, the music industry faces several challenges that could impact its growth. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence in music creation introduces both opportunities and uncertainties. While AI offers efficiency and innovation, it also raises critical questions about copyright, originality, and the value of human creativity. The ongoing value gap in music royalties, remains a pressing issue, compounded by licensing and compliance challenges. Considering the wide spread of music in India, there limited awareness about copyright protection and fair compensation amongst several segments of the music community. Reluctance to pay for music remains an enduring issue, stunting the potential for a sustainable and thriving music ecosystem.

On the positive side, there are significant tailwinds driving optimism for the future. India’s music is gaining global recognition, with its rich diversity attracting increasing international attention.

Government initiatives to promote the creative economy are creating a more supportive environment for the industry. Due to the continued efforts of societies like IPRS and other organizations within the music industry, awareness of intellectual property rights is steadily growing, empowering creators to secure fair compensation. As the focus on copyright protection intensifies, we can expect a shift toward more equitable remuneration for creators and right holders. These factors, alongside a growing global demand for diverse and authentic music, offer Indian creators a tremendous opportunity to expand their reach and impact both locally and internationally, paving the way for a more thriving and sustainable industry.

As a cornerstone of India’s music industry, IPRS remains committed to empowering creators, driving sustainable growth, and shaping the future of music. Building on the successes of 2024, the organization is poised for an even more impactful 2025, with a clear focus on fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration, and further establishing its global presence as a leading music copyright society.

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