Quebecers Favor Streaming Platforms for Music Despite Slowing Growth Trends
Streaming platforms continue to be the go-to choice for Quebec residents when it comes to enjoying music, although recent data reveals a slowdown in streaming growth in 2025. According to findings from the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), Quebec saw a total of 31.9 billion streams on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, marking a modest three per cent increase in 2025, compared to higher growth rates of 12 per cent in 2024 and 16 per cent in 2023.
Nationally, the trend of slower streaming growth is evident as well, with the rest of Canada reporting a six per cent increase in streaming, down from 10 per cent in 2024 and 15 per cent in 2023.
The rise of music streaming services has revolutionized the industry, leading to a significant decline in CD sales. From 13 million CDs sold in 2004, the number plummeted to a mere 500,000 in 2025. On the bright side, vinyl record sales have been on a steady rise since 2008, reaching 400,000 units sold in 2025.
However, the picture for Quebec’s music scene appears bleak in terms of physical sales impact, particularly for local artists. The report highlights a continuous decline in the share of album sales attributed to Quebec artists, dropping from 24 per cent to 18 per cent within a year. This decline is more pronounced among Quebec artists compared to artists from other regions, affecting CD and digital sales disproportionately. Despite the growth in vinyl sales, Quebec artists receive minimal benefits, accounting for only eight per cent of sales in this format.
With French-language music sales also on the decline, especially in physical formats, the report indicates a sharp decrease from 39 per cent in 2018 to 11 per cent in 2025. The representation of Quebec artists in streaming platforms remains relatively low, with only 7.1 per cent of all streams dedicated to Quebec acts. The Cowboys Fringants are the sole Quebec act among the top 20 most-streamed artists in Quebec, claiming the 12th spot.
While Charlotte Cardin holds the title of the second most popular Quebec artist, she ranks 38th on the overall chart. Notably, Céline Dion follows Souldia and Alexandra Stréliski to secure the fifth position on the Quebec ranking.
