Consumer Engagement with Music Streaming Continues to Rise

Streaming music has become a big part of our daily lives, with more and more people tuning in every day. According to the Digital Media Association (DIMA), 50% of consumers are listening to their favorite streaming services daily, and that number jumps to 58% for those who pay for their subscriptions.

The research, done in collaboration with MusicWatch and shared as part of DIMA’s 2026 Annual Report, reveals that people really love their streaming services – 94% of users say they like or love their service, and over half listen every day. And it’s not just about the love for music – consumers also see value in their streaming subscriptions with 90% believing they are getting good to excellent value for their money.

One interesting thing to note is that streaming seems to be strengthening people’s connection with music and artists. A whopping 86% of users say that streaming helps them feel more connected to the music and artists they love.

On the financial side of things, consumers are also investing more in music than they did five years ago. The average streamer now spends about $434 a year on recorded music, which is a 27% increase from before. And for those who subscribe to paid on-demand streaming services, that number goes up to $614 annually.

Streaming is also taking the lead as the top way people discover music, with 69% saying streaming is their main source for finding new tunes. Social media comes in second at 50%. But it’s not just about new releases – 88% of streamers use their service to discover older songs that they may have missed before.

In the grand scheme of things, global music streaming revenues have exceeded $22 billion, making up around 70% of total global recorded music revenues, according to the IFPI Global Music Report 2026.It’s clear that streaming is here to stay, offering a convenient and enjoyable way for music fans to connect with their favorite artists and songs.