Belgian music industry grows 8% in 2019 with paid streaming subscriptions up by 31% and now account for 60% of total turnover according to the BEA, the Belgian entertainment industry association. Total sales reached €78.32 million in 2019 compared to €72.49 million in 2018. The growth in paid for subscriptions was the most important factor in the annual overall growth with Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music being the most popular streaming services.
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 have contributed 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.
In 2019, physical music sales, with a turnover of € 25.38 million, accounted for 32% of the total turnover. This is a decrease of 14% compared to 2018 where physical music sales amounted to € 29.54 million. CD sales realised €17.27 million 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, Apple Music, Deezer among others. If we look at other comparable music markets, we are convinced that this growth trend will continue. 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.”
The most streamed artist in 2019 in Belgium was Angèle who won Belgium’s Ultratop Streaming Award 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 “.
