Ari Bajgora, Oskar med K and Bibbebaby are among the Norwegian songwriters who experienced the greatest growth in TONO payouts in 2025.
Norwegian songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers received NOK 335 million from TONO in 2025. In total, TONO paid out NOK 714,8 million to music creators at home and abroad.
On May 5, TONO will pay out NOK 27,514,619.55 to music creators worldwide. This is the settlement for music streaming that was announced in March to be postponed until April, and which, after further quality assurance, is now ready for payment.
In March, TONO announced that payments from streaming services would have to be postponed until the end of April due to the transition to new technical systems. “We now unfortunately see that we need some more time to carry out the necessary checks to ensure that the payments are correct,” says Head of the Settlement Department, Elin Heer.
TONO and the Norwegian Local Radio Association have agreed on a new agreement for the use of music in Norwegian local radio stations. The new model applies to all local radio stations in Norway, and means, among other things, that local radio stations no longer need to document listenership figures.
On Thursday, April 23, TONO opened its new music house in Kongens gate 12 in Oslo. – The opening of the TONO building is a major milestone in our almost 100-year history, and we are very happy that TONO members can finally use the building, says CEO Karl Vestli.
Artificial intelligence is perceived as an increasingly greater threat by Norwegian songwriters, composers and lyricists. 53 percent believe AI threatens their music-making business, compared to 38 percent two years ago. Fear of AI is greatest among those aged 15 to 29.
The TONO grant was important for getting started with the recording of the new album "Heart Spilt", says Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen.
Due to the transition to new core technical systems and the change to ICE as the new partner for licensing music in global music streaming services, TONO has had to postpone the March settlement for these services. The money will be paid out at the end of April.