Global Recorded Music Revenue Seen Reaching $48.3 Billion In 2026

Global recorded-music retail sales are projected to reach $48.3 billion in 2026, marking a 12th consecutive year of growth, according to forecasts from research firm Omdia.

Streaming Remains The Main Growth Driver

Omdia expects the market to surpass $50 billion in 2027 before reaching $56.8 billion by 2030.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

The forecast covers consumer spending on physical and digital music formats and services, as well as trade revenue from advertising, performance rights and synchronisation.

Subscription services, including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music, are expected to remain the industry’s main source of growth. Subscription retail sales are projected to increase 7.2% to $30.5 billion in 2026 from $28.4 billion a year earlier and exceed $37 billion by 2030.

Physical Sales Continue To Grow

Advertising revenue is forecast to outpace physical music sales over the next five years, with compound annual growth rates of 4.3% and 3.4%, respectively.

Despite slower growth, physical formats are expected to remain the second-largest source of recorded-music revenue. Sales are projected to reach $8.3 billion by 2030, while combined audio and video advertising revenue is forecast to rise to $6.2 billion.

China Climbs The Global Rankings

China is expected to become the world’s second-largest recorded-music market by 2029 after overtaking the UK in 2028 and Japan a year later.

By 2030, the country is projected to account for 8.7% of global recorded-music retail revenue, up from 5.8% in 2025. The United States is expected to remain the largest market, although its share of global sales is forecast to decline from 40.3% to 38.4% over the same period.

Outlook

Simon Dyson, senior principal analyst at Omdia, said the forecasts point to continued momentum for the industry, with global retail sales expected to reach new record highs over the next five years.

He added that China becoming the world’s second-largest music market would mark a significant milestone, reflecting its growing contribution to the global music industry.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

Breaking news