The power of music documentaries in shaping streaming trends and boosting revenue was a major takeaway from the 2024 Year-End Music Report by entertainment data company Luminate. As reported, concert films and music documentaries continue to drive significant traffic across major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. These documentaries are not just entertainment but also key revenue generators for both streaming services and music rights holders, as they lead to increased streaming numbers and royalties.
In 2024, Netflix’s The Greatest Night in Pop topped the charts as the most-watched music documentary across all major platforms. Released in January, the film takes viewers back to 1985, chronicling the moment when the biggest stars in the music industry gathered to record the iconic song We Are the World. With 1.27 billion minutes streamed, The Greatest Night in Pop showcased the enduring appeal of music history and its ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
Close behind in viewership, Prime Video’s I Am: Celine Dion took second place, while Netflix’s Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley came in third. Notably, Miss Americana, the Taylor Swift documentary first released in January 2020, secured the fourth spot in 2024. Despite being older than the others, the documentary saw a resurgence in viewership, fueled by the success of Swift’s album The Tortured Poets Department and her record-breaking Eras Tour. Luminate pointed out how strategic cross-promotion can revitalize older catalogs, unlocking new revenue potential.
Taylor Swift’s influence reached new heights in 2024, with her album The Tortured Poets Department and the global success of her Eras Tour. Luminate’s report revealed that Swift became the most-streamed songwriter worldwide in 2024, surpassing industry heavyweights like Max Martin and The Weeknd. This accomplishment solidified her place as not only a dominant artist but also a key figure in shaping the streaming landscape.
Swift’s exceptional streaming performance wasn’t limited to music. She also topped the inaugural Luminate Index, which ranks the most influential artists based on the depth and reach of their fanbase. As the most influential artist of 2024, Swift was followed by Adele and Beyoncé in second and third place, respectively. The top 10 was dominated by female artists, with Swift leading the pack. Male artists in the list included Elton John (fourth) and Eminem (sixth), with Rihanna ranking fifth and topping the list among Gen Z consumers.
Luminate’s report also highlighted the global nature of the songwriting industry. U.S., U.K., and Canadian songwriters accounted for the majority of streams in the top 1,000 songs of 2024. However, international songwriters from countries like Sweden and France were gaining ground, occupying the fourth and fifth spots. Other countries represented in the top 10 included Australia, Norway, Germany, Colombia, and South Korea, showcasing the diversity and global influence of modern hit-making.
Music documentaries have proven to be a valuable asset for streaming services in 2024, with The Greatest Night in Pop leading the charge. These documentaries not only attract massive viewership but also serve as catalysts for greater engagement with music and its stars. With Taylor Swift continuing to dominate both the streaming charts and the global music scene, it’s clear that the future of music media, from documentaries to songwriting, remains in the hands of both established and emerging artists around the world.
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