PPL announces first pay out of 2022

In the first quarter of 2022, UK music licensing company PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) has paid out £26.3 million to more than 26,000 performers and recording rightsholders.

The pay-out comes from the international revenue PPL collects when recorded music is used overseas for purposes including radio, TV, public performance and private copying. Recipients receive this revenue either directly - as members of PPL - or indirectly through collective management organisations (CMOs).

PPL CEO, Peter Leathem, said: ‘Our international reach, expert team, comprehensive data and pioneering technology allow us to collect more money than any other administrator or organisation… Today’s distribution testifies to this, with tens of millions of pounds collected from more than 40 CMOs paid to those who have created and invested in recorded music.’

International royalties are an increasingly important revenue stream for rightsholders and performers. PPL’s recent investment in technology to improve data accuracy and processing aims to make revenue pay outs to performers and recording rightsholders more efficient.

Founded in 1934, PPL is the UK music industry’s collective management organisation, ensuring revenue flows back to over 130,000 performers and record companies. PPL works with PRS for Music to complete public performance licensing.

You can find out more about PPL here.