ASCAP hits record $1.76bn royalty payout as revenue climbs to $1.945bn
US performing rights organisation ASCAP has revealed that 2025 was its biggest year yet for revenue and distributions.
ASCAP has announced its strongest financial year to date, reporting record-breaking revenue and the highest royalty distributions in its history. The New York-based PRO announced that it generated $1.945 billion in revenue in 2025. That figure represents a 6.0% increase year-on-year, or $110 million more than in 2024.
From that total, $1.759 billion was made available for royalty distributions to ASCAP’s songwriter, composer and publisher members. This marks a 3.7% rise, equal to $63 million more than the previous year. It is the largest payout ever reported by the organisation.
ASCAP said it delivers 90 cents of every dollar collected back to its members and operates with a 10% overhead rate, the lowest among US PROs. The organisation also stated that it is “the only US PRO not owned by private equity or outside investors”. That structure, it says, ensures that financial growth benefits its members directly rather than outside shareholders.
Domestic performance income continued to drive results. Revenue from US-licensed performances totalled $1.471 billion, up 5.3% year-on-year as Music Business Worldwide notes. Growth was fuelled by streaming audio, radio and general licensing. This reflects how performance income now comes from a wide mix of sources as listening habits continue to shift across platforms.
International revenue also increased. Collections from foreign markets reached $474 million, rising 8.2% compared to 2024. Distributions from public performances outside the US grew even faster, climbing 10.6% to $455 million.
The $1.759 billion available for distribution included $1.304 billion from US-licensed and administered performances. ASCAP also distributed $37 million through Songwize, its royalty administration service for members who directly license their works.
Looking at the bigger picture, ASCAP reported that between 2015 and 2025 it achieved a compound annual growth rate of 6.7% for revenue and 7.3% for total distributions. That steady rise suggests consistent expansion in performance income over the past decade.
ASCAP’s leadership stressed its creator-first position. CEO Elizabeth Matthews said: “ASCAP remains a powerful advocate for creators facing an increasingly uncertain economy and rapidly shifting music landscape. While creators are under attack globally by disruptive technologies and opportunistic private businesses, ASCAP’s sole focus is to serve our members. We deliver on that mission every single day.”
Membership growth was another highlight. Over 80,000 new members joined in 2025, pushing total membership beyond 1.1 million. Several high-profile writers and artists – such as Lola Young and Johnny Marr – switched to ASCAP during the year. They join the likes of globally recognised creators including Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, Olivia Rodrigo and Stevie Wonder, and many others.
Strong royalty growth, rising global collections and expanding membership all point to the ongoing value of performance rights. If you want to learn more about music publishing, or how you can collect all the rights for your music, check out RouteNote Publishing for more information.