{"id":106681,"date":"2025-12-19T16:27:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T16:27:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=106681"},"modified":"2025-12-19T16:27:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T16:27:49","slug":"aim-ireland-streaming-levy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/aim-ireland-streaming-levy\/","title":{"rendered":"AIM Ireland calls for a streaming levy to support Irish music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ireland’s independent music trade body is calling for measures to help pump music back into its own music economy.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A new conversation is starting in Ireland about how music streaming can better support local talent. AIM Ireland has called on the government to introduce a content levy on major streaming platforms such as Spotify. The goal is to raise funds that can be reinvested into the next generation of Irish musicians and the wider independent music sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AIM Ireland, or the Association of Independent Music, represents Ireland\u2019s independent music industry. This includes record labels, managers, producers, and others working on the business side of music. Founded in 2020, the organisation has grown in influence and now holds board seats on key European trade bodies, including Impala and the European Music Managers Alliance. As part of its plans for 2026, AIM Ireland is preparing to push for stronger government support for music in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Streaming now plays a major role in how people listen to music, and the money involved is significant. As Digital Music News<\/a> notes, a report published by the Irish Music Rights Organization (IMRO) over the summer found that the average Irish adult spends \u20ac172 per year on music streaming. More than half of those surveyed said they pay for streaming services in some form. AIM Ireland believes this level of spending shows there is room for a levy that could support local music without relying solely on public funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Colm Hanley, AIM Ireland\u2019s recently appointed chief executive, even a modest levy on large multinational streaming companies operating in Ireland could have a big impact. He has suggested that a small percentage of this existing spend could be redirected and \u201creinvested back into the independent sector,\u201d something he described as \u201chuge\u201d for the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AIM Ireland has framed the proposed levy as part of a wider effort to keep more value from Irish music within the country. Rather than focusing only on streaming platforms themselves, the organisation has stressed the importance of building long-term support structures that allow music businesses to grow sustainably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur goal is to make sure that Irish music can compete internationally, but then we can also keep more of that economic value here in the country,\u201d said Colm Hanley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea is still at an early stage. Hanley has described the proposal as being \u201cin the very early stages of development,\u201d with no immediate plans for legislation. The Irish government is reportedly cautious, particularly when it comes to introducing new levies on large international media companies during a period of heightened trade tension between the European Union and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countries such as France and Canada already require streaming services to contribute more directly to local culture, showing that similar systems can exist elsewhere. However, particularly in Canada’s case, this levy was met with some opposition and felt somewhat controversial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is Canada about to lose streaming from Apple, Amazon, and Spotify?<\/a><\/blockquote>