Ed Sheeran was the most played artist across radio, TV and public places in the UK throughout 2025, according to PPL data.
It’s the eighth time in 11 years that Sheeran has achieved the accolade, having previously topped the chart in 2023.
PPL licenses the use of recorded music on radio, TV and in public places across the UK, including shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices and warehouses, and receives extensive airplay reporting data from such broadcasters and public performance venues.
The data was used to distribute revenue to more than 182,000 performers and recording rights-holders when their music was broadcast or played in public last year.
Sheeran has dominated the Most Played Artist chart for more than a decade, first reaching the top spot in 2015 and then placing in the top three each year since 2017.
I am so grateful to be named Most Played Artist across TV, radio and venues across the UK for an incredible eighth time
Ed Sheeran
The pop superstar held off strong competition from Taylor Swift, who landed at No.2 for a third consecutive year. Last year’s chart topper Dua Lipa is at No.3.
Sheeran’s music is played an average of 574 times per day, equating to 24 plays per hour. In 2025, his most played track was Sapphire, which accounted for 19% of his airplay across the year.
This was followed by Azizam in second place, with Camera taking third spot. Shape Of You remains Sheeran’s most played song of all time, averaging 37 plays per day.
Rounding out the Top 5 are Calvin Harris at No.4 and David Guetta at No.5.
UK artists claimed five of the Top 10 spots, with Coldplay and Elton John also appearing in the chart.
Sheeran said: “I am so grateful to be named Most Played Artist across TV, radio and venues across the UK for an incredible eighth time. A huge thanks to everyone who has played my music over the last year, and over the last 15 years. I really appreciate the continuing support.”
PPL Most Played Artists 2025
1. Ed Sheeran
2. Taylor Swift
3. Dua Lipa
4. Calvin Harris
5. David Guetta
6. Coldplay
7. Elton John
8. Ariana Grande
9. Sabrina Carpenter
10. Lady Gaga
Recent Music Week cover star Myles Smith topped the Most Played Tracks with Nice To Meet You. Lola Young’s Messy followed at No.2 and Alex Warren’s Ordinary at No.3.
UK acts claimed six of the Top 10 spots, with Sam Fender at No.4 with People Watching, Sheeran landing two entries – Sapphire at No.8 and Azizam at No.9 – and Smith returning at No.10 with Stargazing.
Other top 10 tracks include Rose and Bruno Mars’ APT at No.5, Benson Boone’s Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else at No.6 and Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club at No.7.
Smith said: "Having the most played song in the UK last year with Nice to Meet You, and seeing Stargazing still in the Top 10 – honestly it still doesn't feel real. I'm so grateful to everyone who has listened, to my fans who have been with me from the beginning, and to everyone at radio and in the venues who has supported the music. It means everything."
Breakthrough artists featured prominently in the Most Played Tracks list, with newer performers playing a major role in driving airplay. Artists including Smith, Lola Young, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Chappell Roan and Olivia Dean reached across the Top 20.
PPL Most Played Tracks 2025
1. Nice To Meet You – Myles Smith
2. Messy – Lola Young
3. Ordinary – Alex Warren
4. People Watching – Sam Fender
5. APT – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
6. Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else – Benson Boone
7. Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
8. Sapphire – Ed Sheeran
9. Azizam – Ed Sheeran
10. Stargazing – Myles Smith
Peter Leathem OBE, PPL CEO, said: “A huge congratulations to Ed Sheeran for once again topping PPL’s Most Played Artist chart, and to Myles Smith for securing the most played track of the year. This was another impressive year for UK artists, with homegrown talent continuing to resonate strongly with audiences across the UK.
"It’s also great to see new artists breaking through alongside firm fan favourites, demonstrating the breadth and variety of music being enjoyed by listeners in public spaces and across broadcast platforms nationwide.”
