Understanding IPRS and How Global Streaming Is Fueling Royalty Growth for Independent Artists

The way music earns money has changed dramatically over the last decade. Physical sales and downloads have taken a back seat, while streaming has become the primary source of revenue for artists worldwide. For Indian creators, this shift has contributed to a noticeable rise in royalty collections, driven largely by international platforms. At the heart of this system is IPRS, an organization that plays a critical role in ensuring creators are paid fairly.

What Is IPRS?

IPRS (Indian Performing Right Society) is responsible for managing performance rights of music creators in India. This includes composers, lyricists, and music publishers. Whenever a song is played publicly — on radio, television, live venues, or digital platforms — IPRS collects royalties on behalf of the creators and distributes them accordingly.

For independent artists, IPRS is especially important because it helps ensure earnings continue even after a song’s initial release cycle.

How Streaming Changed the Royalty Ecosystem

Streaming platforms have removed geographical boundaries from music consumption. An artist in India can now reach listeners across the globe within minutes of releasing a track. Streams from both domestic and international audiences contribute to overall royalty calculations.

This global reach has played a major role in the growth of royalty collections in recent years, with digital streaming becoming a leading contributor. More platforms, more listeners, and improved tracking systems have created more earning opportunities for creators.

The Role of Spotify and YouTube

International platforms like Spotify and YouTube play a significant role in this growth. Spotify enables music discovery through playlists and algorithms, while YouTube allows music to generate revenue through advertisements, video streams, and user-generated content.

When music is streamed internationally, royalties are collected in those regions and routed back through rights organizations, contributing to cross-border royalty flows.

Why Accurate Rights Management Matters

Royalty systems depend heavily on accurate information. If a song is not properly registered with IPRS or contains incorrect metadata, royalties may remain unclaimed. Songwriters and composers must ensure ownership details, credits, and splits are clearly defined.

Independent artists who manage their rights carefully are better positioned to benefit from the expanding streaming economy.

What This Means for Independent Artists

The rise in royalty collections is a positive sign for independent musicians. It shows that owning rights and distributing music globally can support long-term income, not just short-term releases.

For artists, this means:

• Music can generate income over time

• Global listeners can translate into global revenue

• Rights ownership is as important as promotion

How PlayGeet Fits Into This Ecosystem

PlayGeet is built to support independent artists in a streaming-first world. By focusing on proper submissions, transparency, and artist education, PlayGeet helps creators understand how royalties work and how to maximize their earning potential.

The goal is not just to help artists release music, but to help them build sustainable careers through smart distribution and rights awareness.

Conclusion

The growth in royalty collections highlights a new reality for the music industry: streaming is no longer only about exposure — it is also about income. Understanding IPRS and the impact of international platforms empowers artists to take greater control of their earnings.

As global streaming continues to expand, artists who manage their rights responsibly today are more likely to benefit in the long run.