Music industry grows by 8%!

Digital consumption of music already represents 68% of total turnover

-The music turnover in 2019 increased by 8% compared to 2018;

- Paying music streaming grows by 31% and accounts for 60% of the total turnover;

- Vinyl sales increase by 8%;

Brussels, 17 March 2020,

2019 was a very strong year for the Belgian music industry. BEA Music notes a strong growth in music sales in Belgium for the year 2019. In the period between January and December 2019, the music industry had a total turnover of 78.32 million, or a growth of 8% compared to the 2018 turnover of 72.49 million.

Streaming continues to grow

With a strong growth rate of 31%, this year's annual growth trend of paying music streaming is no exception. This also makes paying streaming the most important factor that ensures a positive overall figure in 2019. The paying music streaming services with well-known players Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music continue to gain in popularity.

Digital dominates

Streaming, with a turnover of € 46.7 million, accounts for 60% of the total music turnover. If downloads are included, digital sales in 2019 account for € 52.93 million or 68% of the total. Many factors contribute to the growth of streaming. The wide range of artists, songs and playlists, the user-friendliness, the accessibility and the promotional support of the music companies and streaming providers ensure this trend.

Let's get physical

What about physical sales? In 2019, physical music sales, with a turnover of €25.38 million, account for 32% of the total turnover. This is a decrease of 14% compared to 2018 where physical music sales still amounted to € 29.54 million.

The CD sales realised 17.27 million euros, which is a considerable decrease of 22% compared to last year. Vinyl sales generated just over €5.9 million in sales, an increase of 8% compared to last year.

Patrick Guns, Chairman 'BEA Music' and General Manager 'Universal Music Belgium': "Our sector has again shown strong sales growth in 2019. 8% plus compared to 2018 is fantastic. We are very pleased with this positive development. Especially the 31% increase in digital turnover shows that Belgians can find their way more and more easily towards streaming services such as Spotify, AppleMusic, Deezer among others. If we look at other comparable music markets, we are convinced that this growth trend will continue. There is clearly even more potential, a promising development for the future. 2019 was a good year for the music sector. Both streaming, download and physical offer many ways for consumers to experience music and enjoy the wide and attractive range of local and international artists. “

Angèle wins Ultratop Streaming Award 2019

This prize rewards the Belgian artist whose music repertoire is the most streamed in Belgium. Angèle's music was most streamed in 2019.

Sam Jaspers, managing director of Ultratop: "Angèle was constantly present in the Ultratop charts in 2019. In Flanders she scored 4 top 20 hits and her album 'Brol' stayed in the top 20 for almost a whole year. In Wallonia she scored 5 big hits, including 2 number 1 hits, and put her album on 1 for no less than 18 weeks. Much of her success was achieved through streaming services. The same goes for her brother Roméo Elvis, who finishes at 2, and former winners Damso, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and Lost Frequencies who complete the top 5".

About BEA Music

BEA Music represents the distributors and producers of music in Belgium and is a branche association of BEA, the umbrella association of the entertainment industry in Belgium. BEA unites professional federations of companies active in the production and distribution of films, games, and music. www.belgianentertainment.be

Press contact: Pieter Swaelens - +32 (0) 2 779 41 74 pieter.swaelens@belgianentertainment.be

About Ultratop

Ultratop is the official hit parade of Belgium, the only one that compiles and publishes lists based on the reported store sales, download sales, streaming numbers and airplay figures. The charts are broadcast every week on MNM and Radio 2. You can find the charts every Friday afternoon on the official website www.ultratop.be.

Press contact: Sam Jaspers - +32 496 63 45 68 sam.jaspers@ultratop.be