India's paid music subscriptions likely to reach 28-30 mn by 2028: Report
New Delhi, July 24
India had approximately 14 million paid music subscriptions in 2025 and subscriber base could grow to 28-30 million by 2028, a report said on Friday.
The growth in subscriber base is likely to be driven by product innovation, partnerships and evolving consumer preferences, the report by EY and the Indian Music Industry (IMI) said.
"Despite music being among the most consumed forms of digital entertainment in India, paid music streaming remains significantly underpenetrated," the report said.
The music engagement remains exceptionally strong, with 96 per cent of smartphone users listening to music and four out of five listeners spending more than one hour each day consuming audio content.
However, a substantial gap remains between consumption and monetisation as 86 per cent of respondents reported paying for video OTT (Over-the-Top) services at some point, and only 38 per cent said they had ever paid for a music streaming service.
The widespread availability of free alternatives and limited differentiation between free and premium offerings continue to influence subscription adoption.
The report based on a survey of more than 15,000 smartphone users across India said that 61 per cent of respondents were willing to pay for streaming music if free alternatives disappeared and pricing was reasonable. However, 39 per cent would still not pay, and move to pirated and other sources of music.
Blaise Fernandes, President, Indian Music Industry (IMI) said the country must transition from being a passive consumer market into an active patron's market to take Indian music global and discover the next generation of talent.
The report noted that dedicated music streaming platforms remain the preferred destination for structured listening experiences, with 60 per cent of respondents using digital service providers for music consumption. Meanwhile, discovery increasingly takes place through short-form video and social platforms, influencing how users engage with music services.
— IANS
Reader Comments
28-30 million is still a drop in the ocean given our population. But it's progress! The real challenge is the 39% who would turn to pirated music—that's a massive cultural shift needed. As an industry, we need to educate people that musicians deserve fair compensation, just like we pay for movies. Good to see IMI pushing for this transformation.
Am I the only one who loves the ads on free Spotify? They actually help me discover new albums! 😂 But seriously, the report's right—pricing is key. At ₹119/month for premium, it's not bad, but when you're already paying for 2-3 OTT subscriptions, it adds up. Make family plans cheaper and I'm in!
Interesting read. Coming from the US, I'm always surprised how much free content is available in India. Back home, almost everyone pays for music (Spotify, Apple Music), but here the freeloader culture is strong. That said, I think the growth is inevitable—once Gen Z gets older and has disposable income, they'll subscribe. Smartphone penetration is key 📱
I've been a paid subscriber for years—Gaana, JioSaavn, you name it. But honestly, the value proposition isn't great. Free version works 90% as well, especially with offline downloads and ad-blockers. The report is spot on: limited differentiation between free and premium is killing adoption. Maybe bundle it with something else, like Amazon Prime does?
A Ananya R Yaar, I We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.