Sacem, the French authors and publishers collection society, has just announced 7.5% growth in 2010 to €819.6 million (about $1.16 billion), the agency’s first growth that’s exceeded inflation in five years, according to Sacem report.
In a statement, Sacem chairman of the management board Bernard Miyet stressed 2010 figures were “exceptional, and must not hide the fact that songwriters and publishers still suffer from internet piracy.”
The growth primarily comes from strong TV revenues (+22%), and a streamlining of payments from Orange, the country’s leading Internet carrier. The media sector generated 39% of Sacem’s overall revenue in 2010.
Mechanical rights on audio and video also increased 10.8% to €97.9 million ($139 million), representing almost 12% of Sacem’s total income. However, Sacem stressed that a major part of that revenue growth comes from an extraordinary distribution amount from mechanical rights collecting society SDRM.
The figures also show a 29.2% decrease in digital revenue, to €6.6 million ($9.3 million), which Sacem attributes to a payment delay from an “important client”.
Revenue from private copying rose 3.9% to €57 million ($80.7 million), representing 7% of the overall revenue. Private-copying levies are imposed on sales of a range of electronic hardware and blank media formats, the proceeds of which are distributed to producers, artists and authors and publishers through their respective collecting societies.
Live concerts also generated a 4.7% income decrease, to €67.9 million ($96 million), due to the lack of tours from major international artists, according to Sacem.
In 2010, Sacem distributed €663.6 million ($940 million), up 2% from 2009. The average administrative cost rate reached 15.38%, compared with 15.69% in 2009.
Miyet also went on to call upon digital players and ISPs to take a greater role in finance creation.