Free BGM Association Announces 2025 Annual Report
The Free BGM Association releases its 2025 Annual Report, detailing the current state of free BGM usage and the attitudes of endorsing artists towards AI technology.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:33
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 12:57 (1481h 24m after Published)
The Free BGM Association (hereinafter, the Free BGM Association) released its "2025 Annual Report" on April 1st, summarizing its main activities for fiscal year 2025 and the results of a survey conducted among endorsing artists on "the actual usage of free BGM and attitudes towards AI."
This report is available on the association's official note, and in fiscal year 2026, we will continue to create an environment where both composers and users can produce and use music with peace of mind.
■ Free BGM usage expands to organizations and corporations
A survey on the actual usage of free BGM revealed that 98% of the top 50 universities in the employment ranking for 400 major companies use free BGM for public relations content creation, a 4-point increase from the previous survey. Furthermore, 91.7% of the 12 central ministries and agencies utilize it, indicating a growing adoption in universities and government offices. (※1)
This year, we also began surveying the usage by broadcasters, including "TV stations," "radio stations," and "BS/CS/satellite broadcasting." As of December 2025, free BGM is used by 124 TV stations, including the 5 major key stations, 81 radio stations nationwide, and major BS/CS/satellite broadcasting channels. Moreover, the number of free BGM tracks used exceeded 14,000 as of December 2025, and the number of programs using it surpassed 900, both showing an increasing trend. (※2)
■ Free BGM usage remains centered on video and gaming this year
In a survey of the association's endorsing artists, "videos such as YouTube and TikTok" and "games" were frequently cited as the main usage scenarios for free BGM, similar to last year. On the other hand, some felt that usage in "educational institutions such as schools," "TV broadcasting," and "radio broadcasting" was less active compared to last year, but numerous examples of use in educational institution presentations, graduation projects, and TV programs have been confirmed. (※3)
■ AI music awareness survey: Approximately 70% of composers are cautious about its use
We surveyed the association's endorsing artists regarding their awareness and usage of AI music. Regarding AI music, 21% responded that they "feel it is a threat," while approximately 60% stated they "have concerns but believe coexistence is possible" or "don't care much." Many voices suggested that in the modern era dominated by AI, the individuality and uniqueness of composers and music will become even more important. In actual production, approximately 32% partially utilize AI, while approximately 70% responded that they "hardly use it" or "do not use it / do not want to use it," indicating that a cautious stance is currently the majority. The background to this appears to be a value system that emphasizes the joy of creation and growth in making music oneself, in addition to concerns about copyright and rights protection. (※3)
■ Continued efforts to create an environment where free BGM can be used and created with peace of mind
In fiscal year 2025, based on its founding objective of "creating an environment where both users and free BGM composers can safely use and create free BGM, and aiming to expand its usage," the Free BGM Association leveraged the infrastructure developed in previous years to advance initiatives targeting a wider range of users, from business users to next-generation creators.
For business users, a "Music Usage License Application Window" was established on the official website, designed for use by corporations in videos, games, events, commercials, and broadcasting. By addressing the complexity of individual confirmations and legal concerns, an environment where free BGM can be utilized with greater peace of mind was established. For next-generation creators, through cooperation with the "National Video Creation Koshien" (organized by Kanko Manabonect Co., Ltd.), the association worked on developing educational materials related to free BGM and copyright, and providing the "Free BGM Award," thereby promoting understanding of free BGM and creating opportunities for its appropriate use.
In fiscal year 2026, we will continue to promote measures for business use, create opportunities for interaction between artists and users, and update the free BGM database. We will also adapt to diversifying needs and societal changes, including AI, to promote the creation of an environment where music can be produced and used with peace of mind.
■ About the publication location of the Free BGM Association's "2025 Annual Report"
Publication location: Free BGM Association Official Note
URL: https://note.com/freebgm_org/n/n58e0c3415abe?sub_rt=share_sb
■ Survey Outline
※1 Survey: Free BGM Association Secretariat / Survey date: March 2026 / Reference: Toyo Keizai Online "2025 Latest Edition! 'Universities Strong in Employment at 400 Major Companies' Ranking. 'That University' Ranks 1st for 2 Consecutive Years" https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/885899?display=b
※2 Survey cooperation: Free BGM Association endorsing artists / Survey period and subjects: Usage reports by core broadcasters and general broadcasters from December 2024 to December 2025 / Aggregation: Free BGM Association Secretariat
※3 Questionnaire survey period: February 2026 to March 2026 / Subjects: Free BGM Association endorsing artists / Valid responses: 19 / Aggregation: Free BGM Association Secretariat
<< About the "Free BGM Association" >>
The Free BGM Association aims to provide an environment where both free BGM composers and users can safely create and use music.
Organization Name: Free BGM Association
Location: US Building 8F, 1-16-15 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: January 2024
Activities: Collection and dissemination of information related to free BGM, free BGM distribution sites, and free BGM composers; provision of information for free BGM composers.
Official Website: https://freebgm.org/
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<< Inquiries from media representatives regarding this matter >>
Free BGM Association
Inquiries: Please use the inquiry page on our official website.
Email: pr@freebgm.org
This report is available on the association's official note, and in fiscal year 2026, we will continue to create an environment where both composers and users can produce and use music with peace of mind.
■ Free BGM usage expands to organizations and corporations
A survey on the actual usage of free BGM revealed that 98% of the top 50 universities in the employment ranking for 400 major companies use free BGM for public relations content creation, a 4-point increase from the previous survey. Furthermore, 91.7% of the 12 central ministries and agencies utilize it, indicating a growing adoption in universities and government offices. (※1)
This year, we also began surveying the usage by broadcasters, including "TV stations," "radio stations," and "BS/CS/satellite broadcasting." As of December 2025, free BGM is used by 124 TV stations, including the 5 major key stations, 81 radio stations nationwide, and major BS/CS/satellite broadcasting channels. Moreover, the number of free BGM tracks used exceeded 14,000 as of December 2025, and the number of programs using it surpassed 900, both showing an increasing trend. (※2)
■ Free BGM usage remains centered on video and gaming this year
In a survey of the association's endorsing artists, "videos such as YouTube and TikTok" and "games" were frequently cited as the main usage scenarios for free BGM, similar to last year. On the other hand, some felt that usage in "educational institutions such as schools," "TV broadcasting," and "radio broadcasting" was less active compared to last year, but numerous examples of use in educational institution presentations, graduation projects, and TV programs have been confirmed. (※3)
■ AI music awareness survey: Approximately 70% of composers are cautious about its use
We surveyed the association's endorsing artists regarding their awareness and usage of AI music. Regarding AI music, 21% responded that they "feel it is a threat," while approximately 60% stated they "have concerns but believe coexistence is possible" or "don't care much." Many voices suggested that in the modern era dominated by AI, the individuality and uniqueness of composers and music will become even more important. In actual production, approximately 32% partially utilize AI, while approximately 70% responded that they "hardly use it" or "do not use it / do not want to use it," indicating that a cautious stance is currently the majority. The background to this appears to be a value system that emphasizes the joy of creation and growth in making music oneself, in addition to concerns about copyright and rights protection. (※3)
■ Continued efforts to create an environment where free BGM can be used and created with peace of mind
In fiscal year 2025, based on its founding objective of "creating an environment where both users and free BGM composers can safely use and create free BGM, and aiming to expand its usage," the Free BGM Association leveraged the infrastructure developed in previous years to advance initiatives targeting a wider range of users, from business users to next-generation creators.
For business users, a "Music Usage License Application Window" was established on the official website, designed for use by corporations in videos, games, events, commercials, and broadcasting. By addressing the complexity of individual confirmations and legal concerns, an environment where free BGM can be utilized with greater peace of mind was established. For next-generation creators, through cooperation with the "National Video Creation Koshien" (organized by Kanko Manabonect Co., Ltd.), the association worked on developing educational materials related to free BGM and copyright, and providing the "Free BGM Award," thereby promoting understanding of free BGM and creating opportunities for its appropriate use.
In fiscal year 2026, we will continue to promote measures for business use, create opportunities for interaction between artists and users, and update the free BGM database. We will also adapt to diversifying needs and societal changes, including AI, to promote the creation of an environment where music can be produced and used with peace of mind.
■ About the publication location of the Free BGM Association's "2025 Annual Report"
Publication location: Free BGM Association Official Note
URL: https://note.com/freebgm_org/n/n58e0c3415abe?sub_rt=share_sb
■ Survey Outline
※1 Survey: Free BGM Association Secretariat / Survey date: March 2026 / Reference: Toyo Keizai Online "2025 Latest Edition! 'Universities Strong in Employment at 400 Major Companies' Ranking. 'That University' Ranks 1st for 2 Consecutive Years" https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/885899?display=b
※2 Survey cooperation: Free BGM Association endorsing artists / Survey period and subjects: Usage reports by core broadcasters and general broadcasters from December 2024 to December 2025 / Aggregation: Free BGM Association Secretariat
※3 Questionnaire survey period: February 2026 to March 2026 / Subjects: Free BGM Association endorsing artists / Valid responses: 19 / Aggregation: Free BGM Association Secretariat
<< About the "Free BGM Association" >>
The Free BGM Association aims to provide an environment where both free BGM composers and users can safely create and use music.
Organization Name: Free BGM Association
Location: US Building 8F, 1-16-15 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: January 2024
Activities: Collection and dissemination of information related to free BGM, free BGM distribution sites, and free BGM composers; provision of information for free BGM composers.
Official Website: https://freebgm.org/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<< Inquiries from media representatives regarding this matter >>
Free BGM Association
Inquiries: Please use the inquiry page on our official website.
Email: pr@freebgm.org
FAQ
In which areas is the use of free BGM expanding?
Its use is expanding in public relations content creation for universities and government agencies, and by broadcasters including TV stations, radio stations, BS/CS, and satellite broadcasting.
What is composers' attitude towards AI music?
About 70% of composers are cautious about AI use, with many feeling uneasy but believing in coexistence, though concerns about copyright and the joy of creation persist.
What activities does the Free BGM Association undertake?
The association is creating an environment for safe use and creation, including opening a music licensing application window for business users and providing copyright educational materials and awards for next-generation creators.