France hits $1.21bn in music revenues as streaming passes €700m in 2025
France’s recorded music market grew 3.9% in 2025, following a wider slowing of growth in the industry.
France’s recorded music market has reached €1.071 billion ($1.21 billion) in 2025, marking a 3.9% year-on-year increase and extending a decade of continuous growth. The figures, published by SNEP, show a market that is still expanding, but at a more measured pace.
Compared to recent years, this growth is more modest. It reflects a wider trend across mature markets, where gains are stabilising. For example, the UK recorded music market saw a 4.9% sales growth in 2025, while Germany’s recorded music industry grew just 2.3% in 2025, showing a similar slowdown. In contrast, emerging markets are accelerating faster, as seen in Spain’s recorded music market, which climbed 13.7% in 2025.
Streaming continues to dominate France’s music economy. Total streaming revenues reached €702 million, crossing the €700 million milestone for the first time. Paid subscriptions generated €553 million of that total, rising 5.9% year on year and remaining the single largest contributor to revenue.
SNEP described this growth as “a slight dip compared to the increases of previous years,” and Music Business Worldwide notes that 2024’s figures were boosted by the Paris Olympics. Still, subscription streaming remains the foundation of the digital market and the biggest contributor to overall revenue.
Industry reports show France now has 12.6 million paid subscriptions and 18.7 million total streaming users. However, SNEP notes that the country’s penetration rate sits at 27.1%, still below other major global markets. Growing this share remains a key challenge for the industry.
Ad-supported streaming is growing quickly, increasing 12% year on year to €84 million. This growth is being “driven by younger audiences,” as reported by Digital Music News. In contrast, video streaming revenues declined slightly by 2.9%, suggesting a shift in how audiences consume music content.
Physical formats are also playing an important role. Revenues from physical music reached €205 million in 2025, their strongest level in recent years. Vinyl continues to lead this growth, with revenues rising 14.8% to €113 million and surpassing €100 million for the first time. CDs declined by 2.4% to €89 million, but still lead in volume with more than 8 million units sold.
French artists continue to dominate their home market. Domestic acts accounted for around three-quarters of the Top 200 albums and secured 16 of the Top 20. MBW reports that five debut albums by local artists reached the Top 20, a result described as “unmatched in other major European markets.”
French-language music is also performing strongly across streaming, radio, and certifications. Rap remains a leading genre, making up roughly a third of total consumption, while pop has grown to match it. Rapper GIMS stood out as the year’s biggest name, topping both the album and singles charts.
SNEP Managing Director Alexandre Lasch highlighted the importance of this local success, stating, “One of the main sources of pride is the prominent position held by artists produced in France, and particularly emerging artists.”
He added, “This year we celebrate a decade of positive results for the French recorded music market… This success is thanks to our labels, whose remarkable expertise is supported by an environment conducive to risk-taking.”
Elsewhere, export revenues fell 8.6% to €148 million following a strong 2024, while neighbouring rights and sync revenues also declined slightly as the market stabilised.