In a recent announcement, YouTube revealed that it paid more than $8 billion to the music industry in the 12 months from July 2024 to July 2025. This payout represents a $2 billion increase from the previous year, when the company reported $6 billion in contributions to the industry. YouTube's Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen, emphasized that this milestone is part of a broader effort to create a long-term platform for artists, songwriters, and publishers. The platform has seen significant growth in its subscriber base, with over 125 million Music and Premium subscribers and two billion logged-in viewers watching music videos each month. This announcement comes in the context of increasing competition in the music streaming space, as Spotify reported $10 billion in payouts for 2024. YouTube's commitment to supporting the music industry is evident in its substantial financial contributions over the years.