# The $1.4 Billion ‘No-Brainer’ Opportunity The Music Industry Is Missing

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1-4-billion-no-brainer-opportunity-the-music-industry-is-missing/
- Published: 2026-11-05T05:08:53+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T06:26:42+00:00
- Original publisher: Billboard
- Original article: https://www.billboard.com/pro/soundtrack-opportunity-music-industry-missing/
- Topics: Culture, Entertainment, Food, Music

## Key points

- Soundtrack estimates $1.4 billion in US royalties go uncollected each year.
- Only 19% of surveyed music-playing businesses were fully compliant.
- The company offers commercial music streaming for around $35 monthly.

## Summary

Soundtrack founder Ola Sars says the US music industry is missing an estimated $1.4 billion in annual royalties because many businesses play copyrighted music without the licences required for commercial use. A study commissioned by the company suggests that clearer licensing and wider adoption of commercial music services could bring more businesses into compliance and create a new revenue source as growth in consumer streaming slows.

The study surveyed about 1,500 representatives covering roughly 15,000 US business locations. It found only 19% of businesses that play music are fully compliant; nearly 80% use personal streaming services, and just 5% hold licences from all four major performing rights organisations: ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC. Soundtrack, which says it serves 60,000 businesses in 75 countries, offers a licensed service for about $35 a month and has recently partnered with SESAC.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.