SOCAN Achieves Record High in Royalties for Music Creators and Music Publishers

$308 million in total revenues and another record-low net expense ratio

TORONTO, June 13, 2016 /CNW/ - SOCAN today announced final financial results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, reporting that it brought in $307.8 million in total domestic and international royalties, the first time in its history exceeding $300 million in total revenues from the performance of the music of its more than 135,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members.

More than $276.2 million in combined domestic and international royalties were distributed to SOCAN members, a 15% increase over 2014, and SOCAN's corporate net expense ratio achieved an all-time low of 9.2%, another significant year-over-year improvement. Musical performances outside of Canada realized more than $62.7 million in revenue, more than doubling over the last decade. 

"As SOCAN works to lead the global transformation of music rights, these financial achievements are not only possible because of the hard work of all SOCAN staff members, business innovations and continuous improvement of operations but they are also the direct result of the rich music repertoire that we represent," said Eric Baptiste, CEO of SOCAN. "Canadian music creators topped many international music charts throughout 2015, and Canada's songwriters, composers and music publishers continue to make a massive impact on domestic and world economies. We fully expect both our members and SOCAN to step even further ahead in 2016."

SOCAN 2015 Financial Highlights:

• $276.2 million distributed to members in 2015 – a 14.7% increase over 2014.
• $62.7 million in foreign royalties identified, collected and distributed to SOCAN members whose music is played internationally on radio, television, online, on-stage and in other public performance uses – a 13.4% increase over 2014, and a 60.3% increase since 2007.
• Live music fans enabled SOCAN members to realize collectively more than $20 million for the first time in SOCAN's history, with $21.1 million in live performance revenue brought in and distributed.
• Internet streaming revenues increased 24.4% over 2014, due to the strong growth of new and existing service providers, bringing in a total of $15.5 million for music created by SOCAN members.
• Corporate Net Expense Ratio of 9.2%, three points lower than 2014 and another record for SOCAN, among the lowest of any of the world's major music rights organizations.

More than 4,000 additional music-using Canadian businesses were licensed by SOCAN in 2015, reflecting both the importance and value of music to businesses and the excellent ROI of applicable SOCAN licenses. SOCAN also added more than 6,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers as members in 2015, bringing the total to more than 135,000.

SOCAN continues to step even further ahead in 2016 by positioning itself to be a world leader in the digital music age, globally transforming music rights by providing more leading-edge services to its members.

For full financial statements and a complete overview of 2015, please visit www.socanannualreport.ca.

About SOCAN
SOCAN is a member-based organization that represents the Canadian performing rights of more than four-million Canadian and international music creators and publishers. SOCAN is proud to play a leading role in supporting the long-term success of its more than 135,000 Canadian members, and the Canadian music ecosystem overall. SOCAN licenses more than 130,000 businesses in Canada, and distributes royalties to its members and music rights organizations around the world. SOCAN also distributes royalties to its members for the use of their music internationally in collaboration with its peer societies. www.socan.ca

SOURCE SOCAN

For further information: Media contact: Andrew Berthoff, 416-442-3836, berthoffa@socan.ca