New Streaming Deal Set to Boost UK Artist Earnings

UK artists, songwriters and session musicians are set to see a major uplift in earnings following a new industry-led agreement secured with support from the Government. The measures, developed through the Creator Remuneration Working Group (CRWG) and chaired by Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant, mark a breakthrough in ensuring the music streaming economy benefits creators at every level.

The deal includes a framework for legacy artists to renegotiate outdated contracts signed before the rise of streaming, as well as support to digitise their back catalogues. This will open up more of their historic work to new audiences and income opportunities online, rewarding decades of creative output.

Songwriters and composers will also benefit from clearer financial protections, with new commitments to pay per diems and cover recording session expenses. Meanwhile, session musicians will receive significant pay increases of up to 40% for pop sessions and 15% for classical, ensuring fairer pay across the board.

The agreement is backed by UK arms of major record labels Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, alongside support from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the Association of Independent Music and Labels (AIM) and the Musicians’ Union estimate the changes could deliver tens of millions of pounds in new investment by 2030, as part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change to grow the UK’s creative industries.