The streaming service set yet another record for the highest annual payment to the music industry from any single retailer ...

That's up from the $9 billion in royalty checks written in 2023, and brings the company's lifetime total to nearly $60 billion – impressive considering Spotify ...

Sources tell Variety that although the new deal does not completely ameliorate that payment ... model has faltered in recent years, as the post-pandemic glow has faded from the live-music industry ...