Spotify, NMPA enter partnership to bring new revenue stream to music creators
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The National Music Publishers’ Assn. and Spotify, which have been embroiled in a longstanding feud centered on diminishing publisher royalty rates in the U.S., are taking a step together to bring a new revenue stream to music creators.
The two entities are partnering on the launch of an opt-in portal for NMPA’s more than 2,800 members to enter into a direct license agreement for “expanded audiovisual rights” in the U.S. These new agreements will translate to higher royalty payouts for independent music publishers and songwriters, according to language on the Spotify website. In exchange, Spotify will receive new rights to build video features that better connect artists and fans.
“This new partnership with the NMPA will increase revenue for songwriters and independent publishers who are the heart of the industry.” said Alex Norström, co-president and chief business officer at Spotify. “We look forward to continuing to work with the NMPA to create new value and opportunities for their members.”
“We are pleased that this deal offers indie publishers the chance to enter into direct deals with Spotify in regard to audiovisual streaming functionality on the platform alongside the recently announced larger publishing companies,” noted David Israelite, president and CEO, NMPA. “This new income stream reflects the growing value of songs as digital platforms offer new capabilities to consumers.”
The new NMPA Opt-In Portal is open to eligible publishers beginning November 11, 2025, with onboarding continuing through December 19, 2025.
The partnership comes amid a years-long imbroglio between the trade association representing all U.S. music publishers and their songwriting partners, and the world’s largest music streaming service. Spotify counted 281 million premium subscribers as of Q3 2025, and has more than 713 million monthly active users globally, according to Statista.
Recently, during the organization’s annual meeting in New York in June 2025, NMPA leadership railed against Spotify’s bundling practices, which they projected would lead to music publishers losing more than $3.1 billion through 2032.
In February 2025, the NMPA launched a takedown campaign against Spotify for allegedly hosting unlicensed music in its podcasts that cited more than 2,500 instances of infringement. The campaign followed a May 2023 cease-and-desist letter the organization sent to Spotify about the same issue.