Country Music Catalog Valuation Multiples in 2026
Country catalogs currently trade at 12x–20x annual net publisher share, depending on catalog size, revenue trend, and rights clarity. These multiples reflect recent transaction data from catalog acquisitions, private sales, and fund deployments in the Country space. If you own or manage a Country publishing catalog, understanding where your catalog sits within this range is the first step toward a realistic valuation.
What Drives Country Catalog Multiples
Streaming performance is the biggest factor. Country catalogs with consistent or growing streaming revenue attract higher multiples because buyers can model predictable future income. Sync licensing potential also matters. Catalogs with tracks that have been placed in film, TV, ads, or games demonstrate proven sync demand, which supports a premium.
Revenue concentration is a risk factor that pushes multiples down. If 60% or more of your catalog's income comes from a single song or a single artist, buyers will discount the multiple. They want diversified revenue across multiple titles and income types: mechanical royalties, performance royalties, sync fees, and digital streaming.
Preparing a Country Catalog for Sale
Before approaching buyers or brokers, calculate your net publisher share using the NPS Calculator. Your NPS is your gross publishing income minus distribution fees, admin commissions, and co-publisher splits. Buyers will verify this number during due diligence, so accuracy here saves time and builds credibility.
Run the Catalog Health Scorecard to identify gaps in your documentation, metadata, or rights registrations. Common issues in Country catalogs include unregistered works at performing rights organizations, missing songwriter splits, and inconsistent ISRC or ISWC data across platforms. Fixing these before you go to market can move your multiple up by 1-2x.
Check the Due Diligence Checklist to make sure you have every document a buyer will request. Sellers who come to the table prepared close faster and negotiate from a stronger position. The Country catalog market rewards readiness.