Eur 56.3 million distributed to music authors and publishers in 2018 by Teosto

In 2018, music authors and publishers received EUR 56.3 million from Teosto as royalties for the use of their music. Of this sum, EUR 27.3 million was paid to Finnish and EUR 29.0 million to international music authors and publishers. The amount of royalties paid to Finnish music authors and publishers increased by EUR 1.0 million.

“In 2018, we celebrated Teosto’s 90 years of operations and also had our eyes firmly on the future.  Financially, the year was a good one overall for Teosto’s rightholders. Teosto’s revenue exceeded €70 million for the second time during the association’s history”, summarizes Risto Salminen, the CEO of Teosto.

Teosto collected a total of EUR 8.9 million in online royalties. The increase in royalties is largely due to video on demand services such as Netflix and HBO.

Radio and tv the most significant sources of income

Despite the growth of online services, radio and TV continue to be the most important sources of income to music authors and publishers. Last year, 52% of the royalties collected by Teosto came from music played on the radio and TV. 

Approximately 18% of the royalties collected by Teosto in 2018 originated in events, concerts and festivals. The royalties gathered from such events are a substantial source of income to Teosto’s Finnish customers in particular, as Finnish festivals and events are heavily dependent on Finnish artists and music.

Finnish music is played abroad 

According to foreign royalties paid by Teosto, Finnish music is most frequently played abroad in Germany and Sweden. Remuneration from abroad amounted to EUR 3.8 million.

Total copyright royalties paid to music authors and publishers through Teosto were EUR 70.1 million. The amount includes royalties collected by Teosto and other copyright organisations as well as compensations for private copying and for a loan. Teosto’s cost percentage in 2018 was 17.4. 

The year 2018 for Teosto in a nutshell:

• Royalties paid by Teosto to music authors and publishers amounted to EUR 56.3 million in 2018.
• Distributions to Finnish music authors totalled EUR 27.3 million
• Of the gathered royalties, 52% originated from radio and TV, and 18% from events, 15% from background music and 15% from music falling in the online area and video services.
• Royalties for online music rose by 9,3% – in other words, amounting to EUR 8.9 million.
• The total sum of copyright royalties collected was EUR 70.1 million, including the royalties collected by Teosto and other copyright organisations as well as compensations for private copying and for a loan.

Read more: Teosto’s annual report and financial statements 2018