Sony Music Surpasses $3 Billion in Global Revenue

Sony Music Group closed 2025 with a major milestone. For the first time, the combined revenue from its recorded music and publishing operations topped $3 billion in a single quarter. According to the company’s latest fiscal report, the three months ending in December brought in $3.01 billion, up 11.4% compared with the same period a year earlier.

The growth was fueled by streaming, which accounted for $1.45 billion of recorded music revenue, as well as the company’s expanding presence in live concerts, merchandise, and licensing. The “Other” category, which includes tour income, merch, and licensing fees, jumped nearly 29% year-on-year, underscoring Sony’s diversified approach to revenue.

Within recorded music, ROSALÍA’s “LUX” led the charge as the top-grossing global project for the quarter, followed by classic and contemporary artists including Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”, Tyler, The Creator’s “CHROMAKOPIA”, SZA’s “SOS”, and Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” The quarter also saw strong performances from iconic catalog titles, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas,” and Depeche Mode’s “Memento Mori: Mexico City.”

In music publishing, Sony Music Publishing generated $703 million in revenue. This reflects a 12.2% year-on-year increase. Streaming accounted for about $418 million of this total, representing 13% growth from the previous year. Under CEO Jon Platt, the division continues to balance traditional licensing with digital opportunities. This reinforces Sony’s leading position in both recorded music and publishing.

Overall, Sony Music’s combined operations reported an operating income of $691 million, corresponding to a 19.6% margin. Adjusted OIBDA reached $865 million, representing a 24.6% margin. These results show that the company’s emphasis on streaming, touring, and merchandising continues to drive profitability across its global portfolio.

Rob Stringer, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment and Chairman of Sony Music Group, emphasized that the company’s diverse revenue streams include streaming, live events, catalog exploitation, and merchandising. This positions Sony to capitalize on both current hits and prior assets. As the industry integrates digital and innovative revenue streams, Sony’s fourth-quarter 2025 performance highlights its ability to leverage its extensive catalog and global artist roster.