Streaming music tax: Why do your subscription prices keep going up?

The French music landscape has seen a historic turning point with the introduction of the famous “streaming tax” (or CNM tax) in 2024. Initially announced by the government to finance musical creation and cultural diversity, this measure is now having its full effect on consumers’ wallets. With prices rising steadily, what is the real impact of this tax on your subscriptions at 2026? We take a look.

What does the CNM tax mean for streaming?

Voted to finance the Centre National de la Musique (CNM), this tax imposes a contribution on music streaming giants (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music). The stated aim of the authorities, defended by Jean-Philippe Thiellay, Chairman of the CNM, is to support French musical creation, help emerging artists and guarantee cultural diversity.

While the cultural sector welcomes this funding mechanism, streaming platforms immediately pointed the finger at a scheme that weighs heavily on their business model.

Impact on consumers: massive increases at Spotify

Platforms were quick to react. Spotify, the market leader and most vocal platform against the measure, called the tax a strategic error and threatened to review its investments in France.

To offset this new tax cost, the company chose to pass on the tax directly to its subscription prices in France. The result: these successive increases have made France the most expensive country in the European Union in which to listen to music online, provoking a wave of concern about access to culture.

To give you an idea of how things have changed, here’s an overview of subscription rates after the waves of increases linked to this tax:

Reactions from stakeholders: Spotify criticizes decision, CNM defends it

While Spotify criticizes the decision as a strategic error and plans to review its investments in France, the CNM defends the measure, arguing that it represents an essential mechanism for supporting creation. This situation raises questions about the future of online music consumption in France and the business models of streaming platforms.

Issues and questions for the future of online music consumption in France

This debate highlights the tensions between the economic imperatives of platforms and the importance of funding culture and artistic creation, in a context where music remains a key vector of diversity and cultural expression. The stakes are high, not only for artists and creators, but also for consumers and the streaming platforms themselves.

Striking a balance between funding culture and making music accessible to the public

The new tax on music streaming platforms in France represents a major turning point for the sector, with both positive and negative consequences. It’s crucial to strike a balance between funding musical creation and cultural diversity, and preserving affordable access to music for the public. The coming months and years will be decisive for the future of online music consumption in France.