UK listeners splurged over £2 billion on music streaming subscriptions last year—an impressive feat, but growth is slowing.
According to new figures from the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), UK listeners spent £2.045 billion on music streaming subscriptions in 2025, marking a significant milestone as the first time this figure has topped £2 billion. However, the growth rate has shown a decrease, slipping from 7.8% in 2024 to just 3.2% last year.
In contrast, physical music sales experienced a notable upswing, reaching £368.1 million in 2025, which reflects an 11.5% growth from £330.1 million in the previous year. This surge in physical media has been attributed largely to a remarkable 18.5% increase in vinyl sales, alongside a staggering 95% rise in other physical formats such as cassette tapes. Despite this growth, CD sales faced a slight decline, falling by 1%.
The ERA’s data emphasizes a broader trend, highlighting that overall music sales in the UK have expanded by 120% since 2016. This growth rate is approximately ten times greater than the average economic growth across the UK, which has been around 12% during the same period.
ERA CEO Kim Bayley commented on the findings, stating, “Streaming services and retailers are committed to supporting new UK music, and the emergence of a new wave of UK artists is vindicating their approach.” She added that despite challenging economic conditions, streaming services and retailers are capturing a larger slice of consumer spending, underscoring their vital role in the UK’s creative economy.
Interestingly, the report also noted a decline in digital downloads, which fell by 3.5% to £39.9 million. This trend may reflect a shifting preference among consumers towards streaming platforms instead of purchasing individual tracks.
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