PRS for Music has paid out a record £274.9 million in royalties, including millions generated from radio airplay across the UK and beyond.
The final royalty distributions of this year underline the continuing role of radio in supporting songwriters and composers, with £13.5 million paid from radio use including plays across the BBC network, alongside income from commercial and other licensed broadcasters.
More than 51,500 PRS members will receive a payment in December, marking the largest distribution in the organisation’s history and a four per cent increase on last year. Nearly 400 music creators are receiving a royalty payment for the first time, highlighting how broadcast exposure, including radio, continues to help new writers generate earnings from their work.
International income also played a major role, with £98 million paid out from overseas, reflecting the global reach of music written by PRS members and the continued demand for British songwriters on international radio, television and digital platforms.
Streaming and broadcast royalties remained strong overall, with £12.8 million generated from video on demand services such as Apple, Disney Plus and Netflix, while £18.1 million was paid for music used in video games. Live performance royalties also contributed, with £8.9 million paid from concerts and gigs to more than 14,000 creators.
Crispin Hunt, President of the PRS Members’ Council, said: “Record royalty distributions mean more than just big numbers. They represent rent paid, instruments bought, studio time covered and careers sustained for thousands of music creators.”
He added that first payments are particularly important for emerging writers, saying the society is focused on “making sure hard working and emerging songwriters and composers are earning whenever their music is played”.
One final payment is scheduled for 22 December, including £22.2 million from multi-territory online streaming services such as Spotify and YouTube. Across the year as a whole, PRS for Music will have paid royalties to more than 88,000 members, reflecting a broad mix of income sources, with radio remaining a consistent and reliable contributor.
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk