QOBUZ ANNOUNCES VERIFIED PAYOUT RATES, AND INTRODUCES LABEL & AWARD DISCOVERY FEATURES

Qobuz, the high res streaming platform has been very busy recently, here are their latest updates including new Label and Award pages, and what they actually pay the artists.

QOBUZ LAUNCHES LABEL PAGES TO ENHANCE MUSIC DISCOVERY

Further expanding its offering for discerning listeners, Qobuz has introduced new Label Pages, allowing users to explore music organised by record label. The feature gives subscribers access to curated catalogues, new and upcoming releases, and featured artists from their favourite labels. Users can also follow labels for personalised updates and quicker access from their library.

Popular labels highlighted include Blue Note, Deutsche Grammophon, Warp, Motown, and 4AD—each with distinctive catalogues that have shaped entire genres, from jazz and classical to electronic and soul. These pages are available directly from any album by tapping the label icon and provide deeper, editorially driven browsing not commonly found on mainstream streaming platforms.

QOBUZ AWARD PAGES CELEBRATE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MUSIC

Complementing its label feature, Qobuz has also introduced Award Pages, showcasing a curated selection of albums recognised with international honours, Qobuz’s own accolades, and editorial recommendations. Highlights include:

Ideal Discography: An essential guide to landmark albums across all genres.

Album of the Week: A standout new release selected every Friday.

Qobuzissime: Qobuz’s unique award for first or second albums, spotlighting new artists and bold artistic ventures.

These additions aim to make music discovery more meaningful by connecting listeners with high-quality, critically celebrated recordings across the musical spectrum.

NO FREE TIER, HIGHER QUALITY, FAIRER PAYOUTS

Founded by music lovers, Qobuz’s approach contrasts with mass-market platforms by prioritising quality, sustainability, and equitable compensation. Key elements include:

Lossless and Hi-Res audio for all subscribers.

No ad-supported tier, ensuring every stream contributes to artist compensation.

A comprehensive Hi-Res download store allowing direct purchases by format, even for non-subscribers.

Focus on underrepresented genres such as jazz, classical, and rock, which comprise over 51% of Qobuz’s download sales.

The platform operates on a revenue-sharing model, where around 70% of generated revenue goes to rights holders—labels, publishers, distributors, and collection societies—who then pay artists based on their contractual agreements.

QOBUZ CONFIRMS INDUSTRY-FIRST STREAMING PAYOUT TRANSPARENCY

Qobuz has become the first music streaming platform to publicly disclose and independently verify its average payout per stream, setting a new standard for transparency in the music industry. Verified by a leading international firm, the French HiFi service revealed that it paid an average of $0.01873 per stream to labels and publishers in its 2024 fiscal year. This figure stands significantly above typical industry averages, reaffirming Qobuz’s artist-first approach.

Unlike platforms that operate with ad-supported free tiers, Qobuz is entirely subscription-based. This model, alongside high-resolution streaming and download options, supports fairer revenue sharing. According to the report, Qobuz’s average revenue per user (ARPU) reached $121.13 per year, compared to a market average of $22.38—over five times higher, benefiting rights holders and artists alike.

QOBUZ PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Qobuz is available in 26 countries including the UK, across Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Latin America. Subscriptions are offered in multiple tiers, with Studio Sublime being the flagship plan providing full Hi-Res streaming and download discounts. Pricing starts at £12.99 per month for individual streaming access, with family and annual options available. The download store remains open to all users, with album pricing varying by label and format.

HiFi PiG Says: Qobuz is our go-to streaming platform at HiFi PiG Towers, they are constantly evolving and innovating, which we appreciate!