Music streaming and download platform Qobuz has received the Independent Music Champion Award at the 2026 AIM Independent Music Awards, recognising its continued support for independent artists, labels and the wider music industry.
Presented by the Association of Independent Music (AIM), the award recognises organisations or individuals demonstrating exceptional support for the independent music community.
The ceremony took place at London’s Roundhouse on September 22, bringing together artists, labels and industry professionals under the theme of ‘Collective Strength’.
Qobuz was recognised for its approach to music discovery, combining high-resolution audio with human-curated playlists, expert editorial content, detailed album information and artist credits.
In 2025, more than 41% of all streams on Qobuz in the UK came from independent labels. The platform has also introduced dedicated Label Pages, allowing independent labels to showcase their catalogues and helping listeners discover new music. Its lossless and high-resolution download store provides an additional revenue stream for artists and labels.
Beyond its streaming platform, Qobuz has supported UK events and organisations including the Brick Lane Jazz Festival, Independent Label Market, The Great Escape, We Out Here and Soho Radio.
The award follows Qobuz being named Independent Champion at the 2026 Libera Awards, presented by the American Association of Independent Music, in June.
Dan Mackta, Managing Director, North America, UK & Ireland, Australia & New Zealand and the Nordics at Qobuz, says, “We’re incredibly proud to receive the Independent Music Champion Award from AIM. Supporting independent music has been at the heart of Qobuz from the beginning, and it remains central to what we do.
“From our human-led curation and editorial to the partnerships and initiatives we back, we’re committed to helping great music reach the audiences it deserves. It’s particularly meaningful to have that commitment recognised by AIM and the independent music community.”