September 11, 2017

Music body the BPI announced at its AGM in London last week that British recorded music exports have risen to their highest levels this century, growing by over two thirds this decade and contributing nearly £4.4 billion to the UK’s overseas earnings since 2010.

Figures compiled by the BPI based on an annual survey of its record label members reveal that overseas earnings from recorded music rose by 11.1% to £364.6 million in 2016, up by £36.4 million from £328.2 million in 2015.  This is the strongest performance since the BPI began its annual survey in 2000 and represents an increase of £153 million on the £211.6 million recorded at the start of the decade, a rise of 72.3% since 2000.

The BPI says that the growth reflects the enduring global appeal of British music, with UK artists accounting for one in every eight albums purchased around the world in 2016 and the UK continuing to punch above its weight as the world’s largest exporter of recorded music after the US.

Announcing the rise in overseas music exports, Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said: “With Britain leaving the EU, the UK needs businesses that are true global superstars.  Music by brilliant British artists such as Ed Sheeran, Adele, David Bowie, Coldplay and Sam Smith is streamed and purchased the world over, boosting the UK’s balance of payments.  The global digital streaming market represents a huge new opportunity.  Government can help to seize that opportunity by making sure our artists can tour freely post-Brexit and that third countries robustly protect music rights.”  To read the BPI press release in full, click here.