Montréal, October 17, 2023. – In 2022, there were 23.9 billion streams on on-demand streaming services in Québec, of which 8% were for songs from Québec artists. Of the 25 most-streamed artists in the province in 2022, three were Québec artists:
- Les Cowboys fringants (15th)
- Charlotte Cardin (20th)
- Enima (24th)
This was revealed in the bulletin La consommation de contenus culturels sur Internet en 2022 published today by the Observatoire de la culture et des communications of the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Few French-language Québec recordings among the top-streamed tracks
Among the 10,000 most-streamed tracks, the share of French-language recordings was 8.6% (5.3% from Québec and 3.3% from outside the province), while the share of English-language recordings was 85.7% (1.4% from Québec and 84.3% from outside the province).
Share of streams1 on on-demand streaming services by language of recording and origin of artists, Québec, 2022
1. The share of streams by language of recording and origin of artists is based on an analysis of the 10,000 most-streamed tracks on on-demand music streaming services in Québec.
Source: Luminate Data. All rights reserved.
Compilation: Institut de la statistique du Québec, Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec.
Montréal CMA behind most of the province’s music streaming
In 2022, 70% of all music streaming in the province was generated in the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA). The city of Montréal alone accounted for 56% of the province’s music consumption on streaming platforms, even though it comprises only 23% of its population. The Montréal and Ottawa-Gatineau CMAs had the lowest shares of Québec artist streams (7%). This share stood at 10% for the Québec CMA and at 12% for the other areas in the province.
New releases by Québec artists generated few streams and were down in terms of album sales
Tracks by Québec artists that have been available for less than 18 months on streaming services (new releases) only accounted for 2.3% of streams. Sales of newly released albums by Québec artists (in physical and digital format) decreased from 53% in 2021 to 38% in 2022, the lowest rate since 2018.
Small gain for French-language products in a declining record industry
Sales continued to decline for CDs (-19%), digital albums (-19%), and digital tracks
(-13%) compared with 2021. However, French-language record sales were up for the first time in five years for all formats, both physical and digital.
Again this year, vinyl was the only record format whose sales increased (+3%). Vinyl records now account for nearly 25% of physical album sales, the highest share in 20 years.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.