PPL makes payment of £96.7 million to 139,000 performers and recording rightsholders

PPL – the UK music industry’s collective management organisation (CMO) for performers and recording rightsholders – is making a Q2 payment of £96.7 million to 139,000 performers and recording rightsholders. This distribution consists primarily of payments for UK collections across public performance and broadcast licensing in 2024, as well as some additional revenue from international markets.

PPL license recorded music in the UK when it is broadcast or played in public places. When members’ music is played around the world, they can appoint PPL to collect royalties through its network of more than 110 agreements with other CMOs.

PPL’s members include both independent and major record companies, together with performers ranging from emerging grassroots artists through to established session musicians and global superstars.

Today 6,400 performers and recording rightsholders are receiving a payment for the first-time. Since the beginning of the year, PPL has paid out a total of £167.8 million to performers and recording rightsholders, either as a direct member of PPL or through international collective management organisations (CMO) with which PPL has an agreement.

In addition to income from collections in the UK, the distribution also consists of significant payments to performers from CMOs in France, the Netherlands, Japan, Norway and the US, including some income for 2025 airplay from both the US and the Netherlands.

Singer and songwriter Cat Burns is one such performer receiving a payment today. As well as garnering airplay in the UK, her tracks ‘Go’ and ‘People Pleaser’ have generated significant spins in several markets including the US, France and Denmark.

Burns said: “PPL has played an important role in my journey. As things have grown, it's meant a lot to know that they’re making sure I’m paid properly when my songs are played in public or broadcast, in the UK and abroad. I really appreciate the work they do.”

The Annual Supplementary Remuneration (ASR) Fund, established on the back of changes to the term of copyright protection for sound recordings continues to generate income from more countries for performers. Following payments from Ireland and the Netherlands in March, this distribution includes a first-time payment for ASR from Société des Artistes Interprètes (SAI) in France for airplay between 2014 and 2024.

As well as revenue collected in the UK, recording rightsholders are receiving significant payments from CMOs in Belgium, Hungary, The Netherlands and Sweden. They are also receiving income from the licensing of music videos when they are broadcast or played in public via PPL’s sister company VPL. Over £1.1 million is being distributed to 278 recording rightsholders.

Chris Barton, chief financial officer, PPL added: “At PPL our purpose is to ensure that our members’ talent and investment is fairly rewarded when their recorded music is broadcast or played in public places in the UK and around the world. We know PPL distribution days can be significant for our members and we work hard to maximise and deliver payments consistently to them throughout the year. We're proud to collect revenue on their behalf and help ensure performers and recording rightsholders are fairly rewarded for their work.”