Music streaming platform Deezer posts first-ever annual profit

By Leo Marchandon

March 18 - French music streaming platform Deezer DEEZR.PA reported its first-ever annual profit on Wednesday, helped by partnerships and rebranding generating direct subscriber growth.

Deezer, which competes with Spotify SPOT.N and Apple AAPL.O Music in the crowded music streaming market, operates in more than 180 countries and has built its business around direct subscriptions and distribution partnerships with companies from telecom to restaurants chains or gyms.

• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) improved to 9.7 million euros in 2025 compared to 4 million euros loss in 2024, above expectations as Deezer achieved profitability for the first time on a full year basis

• Total revenue came in at 534 million euros, stable year-on-year at constant exchange rates and in line with the company's target

• Direct subscribers grew 8.3% to 5.7 million, with France up 8.6% to 3.8 million and the rest of the world subscribers rising 7.7% to 1.9 million

• Total subscribers, including direct individual consumers and businesses, shrunk 6.5% to 9.1 million from 9.7 million

• CEO Alexis Lanternier said the branding strategy was gaining traction with younger audiences, noting that "GenZ audiences are increasingly connecting with the Deezer brand"

• Partnerships revenue was impacted by the effect of the Meli+ transition but offset by a positive contribution from the RTL [RIC:RIC:RDTL.UL] the Bouygues BOUY.PA partnerships, while Deezer also renewed major agreements including with TIM TLIT.MI

• Deezer is betting on its services enabling businesses receiving customers such as gyms and restaurants to play music while also looking at new monetization potential for its AI-detection technology