SoundExchange Expands Global Reach with 17 New CMO Agreements
Event summary
- SoundExchange added 17 new agreements with CMOs in Kenya, Barbados, Panama, Paraguay, and key European territories.
- The new agreements bring SoundExchange's portfolio to over 90 and expand coverage of the global neighboring rights market to exceed 91%.
- Bulk of the agreements were reached in 2025, with additional signings in early 2026.
- SoundExchange now has nearly 500,000 artists and rights owners using its services.
The big picture
SoundExchange's strategic move to expand its international CMO agreements reinforces its position as the largest neighboring rights collective. This expansion is part of a broader trend in the music industry towards consolidating royalty collection services, aiming to streamline the complex administrative processes for artists and rights owners globally. The non-profit's focus on transparency and efficiency aligns with growing demands for fair compensation in the digital age.
What we're watching
- Market Penetration
- The pace at which SoundExchange can achieve full global coverage of the neighboring rights market.
- Competitive Dynamics
- How this expansion affects other neighboring rights organizations and their market share.
- Regulatory Compliance
- Whether SoundExchange can maintain its low administration rate while scaling internationally.
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