Canada’s music marketplace hits more than 2 billion audio streams in one week

This week, Canada hit a major milestone in music listening. For the first time, Canadians streamed more than 2 billion audio streams in a single week. The figure was announced this week by MRC Data, the most comprehensive global provider of data and analytics to the entertainment and music industry. 

“A little over two years ago Canada reached 1.5 billion weekly audio streams, and we are pleased to share that the country has quickly achieved another major milestone with 2 billion weekly audio streams,” said Rob Jonas, CEO P-MRC Data.  “With the Canadian audio streaming market currently up over 12 percent year over year from 2020, we certainly expect to see more record weeks in the future.” 

“Two billion on-demand audio streams in a week is a huge accomplishment for Canada’s music marketplace,” said Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada. “This number includes streams from licensed services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and TIDAL. These services provide music fans with on-demand access to more than 70 million licensed songs – a level of access that is leading to more music being played and consumed than ever before.”

When looking deeper into these impressive streaming numbers, Pop, Rock, Rap, Country, and Alternative Rock had the highest volume increases over the past few years, helping Canada reach the 2 billion weekly audio streams milestone.

“The 2 billion data point from MRC Data isn’t just a number. It’s a benchmark that reflects how much Canadians love and value music,” continued Rogers. “This new benchmark also demonstrates the incredible growth that the recorded industry has undergone over the past decade. These streams came from licensed, on-demand music services which means that the creators behind this music are being compensated.”

“It’s important to remember that this 2 billion figure isn’t an annual stat. It isn’t a monthly stat. It is 2 billion streams in a single week,” added Rogers. “Next week, MRC Data will restart their count at zero, and Canadians will track towards 2 billion again – all by listening to their favourite songs and discovering new ones.”

“There is an incredible amount of talented artists vying to be heard on these platforms, and fans can hear their music when they want and how they want,” said Rogers. “In this incredibly competitive marketplace, record labels play a critical role, partnering with, and investing in, artists to help them achieve creative and commercial success.”

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Erica Meekes
Music Canada
emeekes@musiccanada.com
(416) 462-1485

About Music Canada
Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada:  Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.

About MRC Data
MRC Data is the most comprehensive global provider of data and analytics to the entertainment and music industry and consumers.  Established in 2019 with the acquisition of Nielsen’s music data analytics business, MRC Data services digital service providers (DSPs), labels, airplay, and music retailers. MRC Data’s data powers the Billboard charts, the industry’s most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. MRC Data products include Music Connect, BDSradio and Music360, which collectively capture and represent the most robust dataset related to music sales, performance, artist activity, and consumer engagement. MRC Data is part of P-MRC Data, a joint venture between MRC and Penske Media Corporation (PMC).