PRS launches monthly royalty payouts for online streaming

PRS for Music has introduced monthly royalty payments for multi-territory online licensing (MTOL), meaning members will now be paid monthly, instead of quarterly, when their music is streamed on services such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and others.

Online streaming now represents a significant and growing portion of members’ income. In 2024, online usage accounted for 28.4% of the total royalties paid out by PRS for Music. The switch to monthly payments follows the introduction of a reduced MTOL admin rate last year, which is projected to return an additional £47 million to members by 2030.

From 15 August, eligible members will start receiving online streaming royalties every month, in line with PRS’s existing payment thresholds. This change is part of a broader commitment to make royalty payments more timely, transparent and aligned with how music is consumed.

Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music, said: “Monthly payouts is the natural next step for a society focused on getting more members, more money – one that not only listens to what our members need but also reflects the pace and scale of today’s music industry. This is about giving creators faster access to the money they’ve earned and the insights they need to understand how their music is performing. We’re not just responding to change, we’re driving it.

“Behind the scenes, this shift has been made possible by improvements in data processing and system modernisation, including the use of our first-of-its-kind copyright database. The pioneering new copyright system enables more complete, accurate and timely data across territories, ensuring royalties are paid out with greater speed and precision.”

As Tim Arber, PRS for Music’s director of operational improvement, adds: “We can leverage a review of our technology, our processes and our data to get money to members sooner, while being sensitive that we need to make sure that it’s in a way that works for our members... that change is part of the major programme we're running, our end-to-end distribution programme, which is fundamentally about ensuring we continue to deliver a world-leading royalty distribution service, in a rapidly evolving music landscape.”