2024 results: Sacem establishes itself as a global digital player, protecting and promoting the development of creativity

• Sustained international growth with €749 million collected from global markets (+15% VS 2023), driven by digital, while collections in France remained stable at €852 million, enabling a 12% increase in distributions for all rights holders
  
  
• 510,000 authors, composers and music publishers receiving royalties worldwide, thanks to Sacem
  
  
• More than 3,600 projects supported, and thousands of authors, composers and music publishers assisted to promote musical creation and diversity throughout France
  
  

In 2024, Sacem confirmed the strength of its model and the relevance of a strategy combining economic performance, cultural and regional commitment, and digital transformation. In a changing music world -- with increasing technological advances, new uses and global challenges -- Sacem has a clear ambition: to guarantee fair remuneration for authors, composers and publishers, defend cultural diversity, and promote works in France and around the world.

While collections in France have remained virtually stable for several years (€852 million in 2024 compared to €835 million in 2023 and €832 million in 2022), international and digital revenues continue to grow, reaching €749 million in 2024, an increase of 15% compared to 2023 (and up approximately 29% compared to 2022). This performance is driven by an ambitious international development strategy, with a stronger presence on music and audiovisual streaming platforms and social media. Sacem now collects copyright royalties directly in over 180 territories.

In 2024, Sacem developed and consolidated partnerships through 16 new strategic mandates, notably in Côte d'Ivoire with Burida, in India with IPRS and with the publisher Believe Sentric, adding to the 70 mandates already concluded, including Universal Music Publishing International, ASCAP, Socan and the Korean society Komca. By seeking new partners, Sacem pools investments, reducing the levies on the royalty payments of its members and partners (currently 8% on streaming). And, through its international development strategy, Sacem creates more value for its members, who have seen their overall revenues grow by 12%.

This international development is not only a source of growth. It reflects Sacem's desire to extend the scope of French copyright around the world. In 2024, Sacem contributed to the structuring of new ecosystems, particularly in the United Arab Emirates, by supporting the creation of a non-profit collective management organisation. This initiative embodies a constant ambition: to make Sacem a committed player in the defence of universal copyright that respects creators and their works.

A cultural initiative committed to serving local communities

Beyond its economic performance, Sacem constantly reaffirms its commitment to creativity, musical diversity and cultural vitality across France. Sacem is the leading private funder of music in France, with a budget of over €20.3 million in 2024. More than 3,600 projects were backed throughout France, and thousands of creators received support : festivals, concerts, artistic residencies, self-production assistance, educational activities and solidarity initiatives.

• 1,200 concerts were financially supported in cafés, hotels, restaurants, campsites and nightclubs -- 63% of which were organised in municipalities with fewer than 3,500 inhabitants
• 185 performance venues supported
• 478 festivals supported
• 216 authors and composers supported with self-production assistance
• 150 music factory projects rolled out in primary and secondary schools

This support helps revitalise local culture and promotes culture that is accessible to all. It encourages the emergence of new talent, supports diversity in repertoires and strengthens social ties through music. It is all the more meaningful in a context where many cultural organisations are experiencing financial difficulties.

Through its work, Sacem provides practical support to creators at every stage of their careers, while acting as a driving force for cultural organisations (venues, stages, non-profits) that enrich the region. The launch of the Sacem Endowment Fund, scheduled for the second half of 2025, will reinforce this commitment to the public interest. It will enable new resources to be mobilised for creation, arts education and the transmission of knowledge.

A young and dynamic community of creators

Sacem appeals to new generations and creators around the world. In 2024, 13,400 new members joined the society, nearly 27% of whom were under the age of 25. Today, it supports 240,000 authors, composers and publishers with 177 different nationalities. Nearly 13% of Sacem members come from countries other than France. This generational renewal and diversity reflect the vitality of its model and its ability to attract and guide young creators.

In a constantly evolving ecosystem marked by an increasing number of self-producing artists, in addition to the emergence of new formats and the upheavals linked to artificial intelligence, Sacem is stepping up its support for creators by strengthening its professional training offer. The aim is to give them the keys to adapt to these changes. 

It has also accelerated royalty distribution schedules, particularly in the fields of concerts and online. Sacem is constantly developing new digital tools, such as a rights simulator, to offer its members greater predictability.

Finally, in a spirit of openness and networking, Sacem encourages collaboration between cultural industries, its members, and creators around the world through the organisation of professional meetings, the Collab + networking platform, which will be launched in the coming six months to connect its authors, composers and music publishers. Sacem also organises international songwriting camps, such as the recent event with CTGA, the music production and publishing company started by the founder of K-pop.

A vision for a sustainable future for human creativity

With its artist-centric approach – a pioneering copyright framework established with Deezer – Sacem marks a major step forward for fairer rights redistribution, promoting professional creators, reaffirming their central role in streaming, and combating fraud and parasitic content such as white noise or 100% AI-generated content.

With generative artificial intelligence already disrupting the creative landscape, Sacem has a clear ambition: to guarantee a sustainable future for human authors and composers. It works with public authorities, digital platforms, and European partners to promote a clear, fair and protective framework for creators, and to ensure that their work is recognised and fairly remunerated.

« In a world where artificial intelligence is redefining the very contours of creation, it is our duty to act with clarity, determination and solidarity. Sacem is not simply a management organisation: it reflects a united community committed to defending the rights of its authors, composers and music publishers and to respecting the value of creative work.

As new challenges emerge, we strongly affirm that innovation must never come at the expense of copyright. Our model is based on essential values: solidarity, mutual support, and transparency. It is thanks to this collective strength, unique in the cultural landscape, that we can continue to protect creators, support them throughout their careers and build a fair, sustainable and equitable future for all.

Sacem is and will remain a key player, both a pillar of the cultural ecosystem and a driver of transformation, serving creativity everywhere and for everyone. » Patrick Sigwalt, composer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sacem

« In recent years, Sacem has made internationalisation and digital technology into key drivers of growth, directly benefiting its members. By seeking new mandates and strengthening our presence in global digital markets, we have expanded our scope of action and generated additional revenue that directly benefits the authors, composers and publishers we represent. The momentum we are seeing reaffirms our strategic choices and provides proof  that an independent, non-profit French company can establish itself as a leading global player.

But while our work extends internationally, it is deeply rooted in local communities. Throughout France, Sacem supports thousands of projects -- festivals, concerts, residencies, educational and community initiatives -- to bring music to life where it is created, shared and enjoyed. In a society weakened by social, generational and geographical divisions, we believe that music has an essential role to play: to create bonds, raise awareness and give everyone the opportunity to express themselves and access culture. 

We have two ambitions, to promote the voices of creators in France and internationally while working closely with local communities that guide our daily commitment. We will pursue these ambitions with determination, so that Sacem continues to be an efficient organisation for our members and a useful resource for everyone. » Cécile Rap-Veber, CEO of Sacem

APPENDIX

2024 by the numbers :

• Sustained international growth with €749 million collected from global markets, notably driven by digital.

• Collections in France remain almost stable for several years: €852 million collected in 2024 and €835 million in 2023.

• 510,000 authors, composers, and publishers remunerated worldwide thanks to Sacem.

• €1.379 billion allocated (+12% compared to 2023) to creators, music publishers, and Sacem affiliates worldwide.

• A net operating expenses/collections ratio of 10.8%, at the same level as in 2023.

• More than 13,400 new members worldwide, 27% of whom are under 25 years old.

• Over 3,600 projects supported through cultural action.

To learn more, the 2024 annual report is available here : https://rapportannuel2024.sacem.fr/en