BPI

🇬🇧 Champions of the British recorded music industry
🗣️ The voice of 500+ (90%) of UK record labels
🏆 Organisers of @BRITs, @MercuryPrize and @AlbumDayUK

[BPI @bpi_music]

British music isn’t just popular, the UK public just ranked it No. 1 as the cultural export they are most proud of 🇬🇧

New research in BPI’s annual stats book ‘All About The Music 2026’ shows:

🥇27% of the public rank music as the UK’s top cultural export
🌍 Nearly 75% say it boosts the UK’s global reputation
🤝 Over two-thirds want more Government support for homegrown artists

BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE:

“It’s encouraging to see that the public holds British music in such high regard and is so committed to seeing its continued success. The UK is a creative superpower both economically and culturally, as can be seen across our many world-leading creative industries.

Music speaks to the human experience in a unique and powerful way and is there for us at every moment in our lives. As we’ve seen over the last year with numerous new artists breaking through on the world stage, British music has a truly global impact - its importance and power as a cultural asset and economic force cannot be overstated.”

You can now dive into the full report for the data, trends and artist stories shaping the future of UK music in ‘All About The Music 2026’ 📊

Free for all BPI Members here: https://t.co/gF48B08AHg
Available for the public to buy here: https://t.co/9U9EVP21oL

[BPI @bpi_music]

The @MercuryPrize breaking records 👏

@raye's Mercury Prize winning album ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’ has climbed to number 11 in the midweek @officialcharts Albums Chart!

The 2026 Mercury Prize also achieved a record social media audience this year with 23.7 million views across official digital platforms – up 295% on 2025 📈

Dr. Jo Twist OBE:

“The 2026 Mercury Prize celebrated 12 brilliant, critically acclaimed Albums of the Year, including Raye’s wonderful This Music May Contain Hope, that all deserve to be appreciated by a wider audience. The Mercury Prize's impact and reach continues to grow, supporting the art of the album and helping human artistry in all its musical styles build fanbases.

“Many congratulations to Raye and all the artists of the year on their deserved success, together with my sincere thanks to our incredible partners, including BBC Music, Newcastle City Council, LNER, Fenwick, Freight Island, Generator, our label members, and all the teams that made possible such a special evening that will live long in the memory as well as a Fringe week that will help to create a lasting legacy for Newcastle - the city that sings.”

Read more in here: https://t.co/luBHGtUKFd

[BPI @bpi_music]

“I have a feeling the vinyl records might stick around” 👀 Episode 3 of the BPI Innovation Podcast is out now!

Why does the album format continue to thrive in a world of playlists, short-form content and constant releases?

In this National Album Day special of the BPI Innovation Podcast, Colleen Murphy and Keith Jopling join Amalie Briden to explore why albums still matter, what makes them such a powerful artistic statement, and what the future holds for the format.

Watch here: https://t.co/bVkz25033n
Listen here: https://t.co/UxbbmVe2Ys

[BPI @bpi_music]

British music 🤝 The BBC

BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE speaking at @gobeyondmcr 2026:

"As you may know, the BBC is currently undergoing a once-in-a-decade Charter Review by the UK Government. On behalf of the UK’s recorded music sector, I’d like to acknowledge and thank the BBC for their tireless commitment to supporting and platforming British music and artists – whether through their long-standing support of the Mercury Prize, their decades-long partnership with the Official Charts Company, the incredible impact of BBC Introducing, their international programming at the British Music Embassy, and so much more.

You might have seen the advert, “what has the BBC ever done for me?” on your TV screens or your social media in recent months. In the case of the UK’s music ecosystem, the BBC has done, and continues to do, an extraordinary amount. British music would not be the cultural or economic powerhouse that it is today without its support.

The BBC gave me my first career job as a journalist. I spent 9 years in total there, and know how importantly it takes British culture in all its forms, alongside British life and risk-taking. That experience taught me that public service broadcasting does more than just mirror culture. At its best, it gives new voices the confidence, platform and reach to shape it.

The BBC needs to be funded adequately and sustainably so that it can continue to invest in British music, and support and champion future generations of music talent.”

At her keynote speech at Beyond the Music 2026, BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE highlighted the BBC’s vital role in supporting British artists, championing new talent and helping UK music reach audiences at home and around the world.

As the BBC undergoes its Charter Review, she stressed the importance of adequate and sustainable funding to ensure this support continues for future generations of music talent.

Read the full speech here: https://t.co/N0eEWe0jOR

[BPI @bpi_music]

What does it take to drive growth across British music? 🇬🇧

"We must protect investment in artists and the teams behind them.

We must give British music a joined-up route to global markets.

We must make creative education accessible in every community.

We must connect local music ecosystems to national opportunity and international reach.

And we must embrace innovation with human creativity and value at its heart.”

At @gobeyondmcr 2026, BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE (@Doctoe) outlined five key priorities for securing a sustainable future for the UK music industry, from protecting investment in artists and boosting music exports to expanding access to creative education, strengthening local music ecosystems and embracing innovation that puts human creativity first.

You can read the speech in full at the link here: https://t.co/N0eEWe0jOR

[UK Music @UK_Music]

🎶@Haircut100 legend Nick Heyward has hailed the vital role the BBC has played in his career, and with uncertainty looming over the future funding of the corporation, UK Music Chief @TomKiehl highlights the unique link between the Beeb and music here https://t.co/sNkMyZyQMG

[BPI @bpi_music]

If you’re a UK music business, this one's for you 🇬🇧✈️🇨🇳

China became the world’s fourth largest recorded music market in 2025, with revenues growing by 20.1%, the fastest growth among the top 20 markets. BPI data also shows China to be one of the fastest-growing markets for UK recorded music exports.

This mission offers UK music businesses a unique opportunity to:

✅ Attend the 2026 China Digital Music Industry Conference in Xiamen
✅ Connect with China’s leading music industry professionals
✅ Take part in B2B meetings, business networking and educational sessions
✅ Explore new business opportunities in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing music markets

The mission is open to UK artists, managers, labels, publishers, distributors, festival organisers, promoters and other music businesses across all genres, with a programme tailored to support delegates in building new connections and exploring opportunities in the Chinese market.

🗓 16–22 November 2026
📍 Xiamen, Fujian Province
💷 Registration: £200 per delegate (excl. travel & accommodation)

Sign up here: https://t.co/E51HmNLBmD

Organised by BPI and @biztradegovuk 🤝

[BPI @bpi_music]

The results are in! The 2026 @BRITs brought more than just music to Manchester...

An independent economic and social impact study has found that the BRITs 2026 delivered:

🎵 £5m in net additional expenditure in Manchester
📈 £3.45m in Gross Value Added
👥 15,497 days of employment for Manchester-based workers
💡 £11.2m in monetised social impact
🎟️ Almost 25,000 people attending the Awards and wider BRITs programme

From BRITs Week gigs and Fringe Lab education days, to exhibitions and industry events, the BRITs programme reached far beyond the awards themselves.

With the BRITs returning to Co-op Live on 27 February 2027, the legacy of the move to Manchester continues to grow 👀

More here: https://t.co/SQiCBGR439

[BPI @bpi_music]

Can AI really tell you which artists have what it takes to succeed?

In the latest episode of the BPI Innovation Podcast - ‘A&R in the Age of Data’ - our host Amalie Briden speaks with Beth Cherry, Business Development Specialist at @chartmetric, and Jon-Frode Bosaaen, Managing Director of @RegentStRecords, about how technology is changing the A&R process.

From streaming behaviour and social media momentum to audience engagement and fan communities, they explore where data can help A&Rs make better decisions, and where human instinct, relationships and cultural awareness still matter.

Listen/watch here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://t.co/7BCLeQrMiX

[BPI @bpi_music]

@UK_Music has launched its Workforce Diversity Survey to help the music industry and government gain critical insights into where improvements are needed regarding diversity and inclusion.

Find out more and take this vital survey here: https://t.co/Sld9RpvDfT

[BPI @bpi_music]

BPI and @CityPolicePIPCU just secured a 3 year 6 month sentence following the UK’s largest seizure of counterfeit vinyl records 👏

The perpetrator generated £2.7 million from the sale of counterfeit vinyl between 2017 and 2024, operating an industrial scale unlicensed manufacturing plant in Acton under the name Phoenix of Vinyl.

The operation was uncovered following a referral from the BPI to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit at the @CityPolice. Officers seized 2,791 counterfeit records, four vinyl presses, 3,000 metal stampers and thousands of sleeves and centre labels, with 18 tonnes of evidence recovered in total.

Record labels confirmed that the seized titles infringed copyright, with the operation using the copyright of 108 artists.

The conviction marks a significant step in tackling the growing threat of counterfeit vinyl and protecting artists, rights holders and the legitimate music industry.

Read the full story in @guardian, including comment from BPI Director of Content Protection, Peter Ratcliffe.
https://t.co/jmLlWUac30

[Scott McDonald @McDonaldScott_]

Australia is now the UK's 4th-largest music export market. UK recorded music exports hit a record £800m in 2025.
Our team @auBritish recently helped bring a UK music trade mission to Queensland, led with @biztradegovuk and @bpi_music, culminating in a British showcase at BIGSOUND, #Australia's leading music industry event.
At Breakfast with the Brits, UK label execs, publishers and creative agency leads met their Australian counterparts. Later, a panel with Anthony Lee, Daniel Lee, Arwen Hunt and Chloe Melick shared straight-talking advice on building UK relationships.
Practical, relationship-first work like this is part of the UK's Industrial Strategy, and it makes a real difference for artists on both sides.
📸 Anna Hay

[BPI @bpi_music]

What happens when AI stops just making music, and starts changing how music rights work?

The new series of the BPI Innovation Podcast is here! 🎙️

We’re kicking things off with 'Beyond the Headlines: The Story of AI and Music in 2026’ 👀

In this episode, Sophie Jones, outgoing CSO of BPI (British Phonographic Industry), and Will Hughes, CRO of @TheSoundPatrol, explore what’s really happening beneath the noise around AI and music, from licensing and attribution to provenance, rights management and the future of AI-powered creativity.

Watch on YouTube here 👉 https://t.co/KlTSsn17ZX

Listen wherever you get your podcasts here 👉 https://t.co/zFzErjnKIE

[BPI @bpi_music]

A brand new college to nurture the next generations of British talent 🇬🇧

Plans for a new specialist creative college in the heart of Bradford have been submitted.

BRIT North will offer free, specialist education for up to 500 students aged 16–19, with courses spanning music and music technology, performing arts, production arts, creative media and digital design.

Inspired by the music industry’s long history in supporting creative education, BRIT North will give young people across Bradford and West Yorkshire the opportunity to develop skills and pursue careers in the creative industries.

Subject to planning approval, the college will be located at Jacob’s Well in Bradford city centre.

More details will be shared as the project develops.

Architectural visual: DPP, Bond Bryan Architects and Ares Landscape Architects Ltd

More info here: https://t.co/aBfuA4DTiD

[BPI @bpi_music]

@IFPI_org and the wider recorded music industry just launched a new initiative to tackle streaming fraud and protect artists, songwriters and fans.

BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE:

“Streaming fraud is one of the key economic issues facing our industry, and the longer it goes unchecked, the harder it will be to eradicate fully from our music ecosystem. That’s why the Streaming Integrity Initiative, coming on the heels of the ‘End Streaming Fraud’ campaign, is vitally important and sees the global recorded music community uniting around key principles that will protect artists, songwriters, and fans from its harmful effects.

Rightsholders have stepped up, and we now need distributors, DSPs, and other stakeholders to match this commitment and support SII so that collectively we can put an end to streaming fraud.”

The Streaming Integrity Initiative (SII) sees a host of leading music companies uniting behind five key commitments to verify, vet, act, share and measure in the fight against fraudulent streaming.

Building on the IFPI's wider End Streaming Fraud campaign, the initiative aims to strengthen prevention, detection and enforcement across the music ecosystem.

Find out more here: https://t.co/jBIvZru0WE

[BPI @bpi_music]

British music is going global 🌍 Here are your recipients of Round 25 of the Music Export Growth Scheme!

163 Margs, Alex Spencer, BINA., Boston Manor, Bury Tomorrow, caroline, CHINCHILLA, Elder Island, Fat Dog, Grandmas House, Ibibio Sound Machine, JERUB, Joshua Idehen, Koven, LIME GARDEN, Lizzie Berchie, Los Bitchos, Mary In The Junkyard, Pigeon, Qendresa, Rhumba Club, Seb Lowe, The Guest List, The K’s, The Lathums, The Lottery Winners, The Meffs, The Royston Club, Tom Skinner

The latest £800,000 round of the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) is being distributed between 29 UK artists to help build their international audiences and careers 🇬🇧

Developed and administered by the BPI, and funded by @SciTechgovuk, @DCMS and the UK recorded music industry, MEGS has supported 540+ British artists, invested £10m+ in UK music, and generated more than £81.5m for the UK economy, demonstrating the power of investing in independent talent and helping British music reach audiences around the world.

Applications for the 26th round are now open until 7 September!

Find out more and apply here: https://t.co/IQAspWSfzX

[BPI @bpi_music]

New models of collaboration between AI companies and the music sector, like the example below, are key to seizing on the opportunities of AI whilst preserving and respecting human creativity 🤝

BPI's commisioned report from WPI Economics made the case for the role of licensing and partnership to drive growth, read more here: https://t.co/GA50oAxQhq

[Variety @Variety]

Stability AI, the AI startup backed by James Cameron and Sean Parker, has raised $76M in a new round of funding from investors, including:

• The top three record labels: Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment

• The gaming company Electronic Arts

• The investment firms AMD Ventures and Pacific Alliance Ventures

The investment follows deals Stability AI has struck with UMG, WMG, and Electronic Arts to build new AI models using the companies’ respective catalogs and intellectual property.

https://t.co/dlM2tCmhoP