Overview
- Eligible NMPA members can now opt into direct licenses that cover expanded audiovisual rights in the United States.
- Spotify says the agreements will result in higher royalty payouts for independent publishers and songwriters.
- In exchange, Spotify gains rights to develop video features designed to connect artists and fans on the platform.
- The onboarding window runs from November 11 through December 19, 2025, with access extended to more than 2,800 NMPA members.
- The move follows disputes over publisher royalties and alleged unlicensed music in podcasts, including a 2025 takedown campaign and a 2023 cease-and-desist, and comes as Spotify counts 281 million premium subscribers and about 713 million monthly users globally.