PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) is a UK-based collective management organization that licenses recorded music when it is broadcast on television and radio or played in public spaces. Founded in 1934 and headquartered at 1 Olympic Park, London, it represents over 182,000 performers and recording rightsholders, including self-releasing artists, session musicians, and major and independent record labels. It is best suited for UK-based performers and rightsholders who want to collect neighboring rights royalties when their recordings are played publicly or broadcast.
How PPL Works
PPL is not a performing rights organization (PRO) for songwriters. PRS for Music handles songwriter and composer royalties in the UK. PPL handles the separate rights of performers and sound recording owners. The two organizations operate a joint venture called PPL PRS Ltd, which issues combined licenses to businesses that play recorded music publicly, covering both the composition (PRS) and the recording (PPL).
PPL collects revenue from three main streams. Public performance and dubbing revenue (licensing shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices, and B2B music suppliers) reached GBP 122.9 million in 2025. Broadcast and online licensing revenue (TV channels, radio stations, streaming services, on-demand TV) generated GBP 98.5 million. International revenue (collected from foreign collective management organizations through reciprocal agreements) increased 16% to GBP 94.0 million, with international recording rightsholder collections reaching a record GBP 10.8 million.
In total, PPL generated GBP 315.3 million in 2025, up 4.75% from GBP 301.0 million in 2024. Net distributable revenue after operating costs was GBP 273.0 million. The cost-to-income ratio was 13.1%, down slightly from 13.2% in 2024. PPL paid a total of GBP 277.7 million to performers and recording rightsholders in 2025, with 16,000 receiving payments for the first time.
PPL operates 117 international agreements across 55 countries, with a mandate retention rate of over 99.9%. Since launching its international collections arm 20 years ago, PPL has collected over GBP 1 billion cumulatively in international revenue. In Q1 2026, PPL distributed GBP 77.7 million to over 28,000 payees. In Q2 2026, it distributed GBP 81.6 million to over 140,000 payees, bringing total 2026 distributions to GBP 159.3 million by mid-year.
PPL's sister company VPL (Video Performance Limited) licenses music videos when they are played in public or broadcast on TV. VPL revenue is included in PPL distributions. In July 2026, PPL signed a new agreement with Polish CMO SAWP to support collection and distribution of Annual Supplementary Remuneration (ASR) for performers.
Real-World Example
A self-releasing UK artist releases a single that gets 50,000 streams on a licensed UK radio station and is also played in 200 licensed venues (pubs, restaurants, retail stores). The artist owns both the sound recording copyright and is the featured performer.
PPL collects the license fees from the radio station and the venues (via PPL PRS Ltd combined licenses). The artist receives two payments: one as the recording rightsholder (the owner of the sound recording) and one as the performer. The exact amounts depend on the usage data reported, the station's or venue's license fee, and the number of works in the distribution pool.
If the same single is played on radio in Germany, PPL's reciprocal agreement with GEMA or the relevant German CMO means those royalties are collected locally and remitted to PPL, which distributes them to the UK artist. PPL's 2025 international revenue of GBP 94.0 million includes collections from 63 foreign CMOs in its Q4 distribution alone.
A session musician who played bass on someone else's recording also receives PPL royalties as a non-featured performer, even if they do not own the sound recording copyright. PPL distributes performer royalties to both featured and non-featured performers.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you are a UK-based performer or recording rightsholder, PPL membership is free and is the only practical way to collect neighboring rights royalties when your recordings are broadcast or played publicly. Without it, you are leaving money on the table every time your music airs on radio, TV, or in licensed venues.
Register your recordings with PPL as soon as they are commercially released. Submit correct ISRC codes and performer details so PPL can match your recordings to usage data. If you are a self-releasing artist, you can register as both the recording rightsholder and the featured performer to collect both shares.
If you are a session musician (non-featured performer), you are also entitled to PPL royalties. Register your performer details with PPL and link them to the recordings you performed on. Many session musicians never claim these royalties because they do not realize they are entitled to them.
PPL's international network means your recordings can earn royalties in 55 countries. PPL retains over 99.9% of its international mandates, meaning foreign rightsholders trust PPL to collect on their behalf in the UK. This reciprocal system works both ways: UK rightsholders benefit when their music is played abroad.
Do not confuse PPL with PRS for Music. PRS pays songwriters and publishers for the composition. PPL pays performers and recording owners for the sound recording. If you write and record your own music, you need both.
Comparison Table
PPL is a neighboring rights organization, not a traditional PRO. It collects royalties for performers and recording rightsholders, not songwriters. Here is how it compares to similar organizations.
| Feature | PPL | PRS for Music | SoundExchange | GVL | SAMI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Territory | United Kingdom | United Kingdom | United States | Germany | Sweden |
| Rights type | Neighboring rights (performers and recording rightsholders) | Performing rights (songwriters and publishers) | Neighboring rights (performers and recording rightsholders) | Neighboring rights (performers and recording rightsholders) | Neighboring rights (performers and recording rightsholders) |
| Join fee | Free | 100 GBP (writers), 200 GBP (publishers) | Free | Free | Free |
| Annual fee | None | None | None | None | None |
| Overhead rate | 13.1% (2025) | ~10 to 12% | ~5% | ~15% | ~12% |
| Distribution frequency | 4 distributions per year (UK annual in June, international quarterly) | 4 distributions per year | 4 distributions per year | 2 distributions per year | 2 distributions per year |
| Reciprocal agreements | 115+ agreements across 55 countries | CISAC member with worldwide network | 90+ agreements | CISAC member with worldwide network | CISAC member with worldwide network |
| Members | 182,000+ performers and rightsholders | 160,000+ | 800,000+ | 90,000+ | 30,000+ |
Territory Covered
PPL collects neighboring rights royalties within the United Kingdom. The organization licenses businesses that play recorded music publicly, including shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices, TV channels, radio stations, streaming services, and on-demand TV platforms operating in the UK.
PPL also collects internationally through its 115+ reciprocal agreements with collective management organizations across 55 countries. When a UK recording is played on radio or in public in another country where PPL has a reciprocal deal, the local CMO collects those royalties and remits them to PPL for distribution to UK performers and rightsholders. PPL's international network covers approximately 95% of the available neighboring rights market globally.
PPL operates a joint venture with PRS for Music called PPL PRS Ltd, which issues combined licenses to businesses that play recorded music publicly in the UK. This combined license covers both the composition (PRS) and the recording (PPL).
How to Join PPL
PPL membership is free. You can register online through the myPPL portal.
For Performers
- Create an account on the PPL website (ppluk.com) or through the myPPL portal (myppl.ppluk.com).
- Complete the performer registration form with your personal details.
- Provide photographic proof of identity (passport, driving licence, or national ID card).
- Provide proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or council tax letter dated within the last 3 months).
- Register the recordings you have performed on, providing ISRC codes and performer details.
- Link your performer profile to the recordings in PPL's database.
- PPL matches your performer details to usage data from broadcasters, venues, and streaming platforms.
- You receive royalties based on the usage of recordings you performed on.
Both featured performers (lead artists) and non-featured performers (session musicians, backing vocalists) can register. Non-featured performers are entitled to royalties even if they do not own the sound recording copyright.
For Recording Rightsholders
- Create an account on the PPL website or myPPL portal.
- Complete the recording rightsholder registration form.
- Provide entity information (company registration details for businesses, or personal details for individuals).
- Provide photographic proof of identity and proof of address.
- Register your recordings with ISRC codes, release details, and performer information.
- You must own or be the exclusive licensee of the right to play the recording in public, broadcast it, and copy it in the UK.
- The recording must have been made for the purposes of sale or distribution to the general public.
- You can also register music videos through PPL's sister company VPL (Video Performance Limited).
Required Documents
- Photographic proof of identity (JPG, PNG, or PDF)
- Proof of address (dated within 3 months)
- For recording rightsholders: company registration documents if applicable
- ISRC codes for recordings
- Performer details and contribution information
Contact PPL Member Services at 020 8068 1054 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or memberservices@ppluk.com for assistance.
Membership Fees and Overhead Rate
Fees
- Joining fee: None. PPL membership is free.
- Annual membership fee: None.
- Registration fee: None.
- myPPL account: Free and automatic upon membership.
Overhead Rate
PPL's cost-to-income ratio was 13.1% in 2025, down slightly from 13.2% in 2024. For every 100 GBP collected, approximately 86.90 GBP is distributed to performers and recording rightsholders, and 13.10 GBP covers administrative costs.
PPL does not retain a profit for its services. The organization operates on a cost-recovery basis, meaning all revenue after administrative expenses is distributed to members. In 2025, PPL generated GBP 315.3 million in total revenue, with net distributable revenue after operating costs of GBP 273.0 million. PPL paid a total of GBP 277.7 million to performers and recording rightsholders in 2025, with 16,000 receiving payments for the first time.
Royalty Distribution Schedule
PPL distributes royalties four times per year. The distribution schedule includes UK payments and international payments on separate dates.
2026 Distribution Dates
- 31 March 2026: International Q1. International payments are made when a recording has been played in a different country and PPL has a reciprocal deal with the local CMO. Members only receive these royalties if they have signed up for international collections with PPL.
- 30 June 2026: UK Main annual PPL and VPL payments. UK PPL payments cover radio and TV broadcasts and public performance in the UK during 2025. UK VPL payments cover music video recordings on TV broadcasts and public performance in the UK during 2025.
- September 2026: International payment (Q3).
- 17 December 2026: UK adjustment for PPL and VPL. Adjustment to payments made for 2019 to 2025 for PPL, and 2022 to 2025 for VPL. Also includes some new 2026 PPL revenue. Adjustment payments reflect new information about recordings, including performer claims and changes to rightsholder details.
Member Deadlines
- 9 March 2026: Deadline to update bank details on myPPL for March payment
- 8 June 2026: Deadline to update bank details on myPPL for June payment
- 8 September 2026: Deadline to update bank details on myPPL for September payment
In Q1 2026, PPL distributed GBP 77.7 million to over 28,000 payees. In Q2 2026, it distributed GBP 81.6 million to over 140,000 payees, bringing total 2026 distributions to GBP 159.3 million by mid-year.
Reciprocal Agreements with Foreign Societies
PPL maintains 115+ international agreements with collective management organizations across 55 countries. PPL is the market leader in international neighboring rights collections, having collected over GBP 1 billion cumulatively since launching its international collections arm 20 years ago.
Major reciprocal partners include:
- GVL (Germany): Performer and recording rightsholder agreements
- SAMI (Sweden): Performer and recording rightsholder agreements
- Gramo (Norway): Performer and recording rightsholder agreements
- SIAM (Italy): Performer and recording rightsholder agreements
- AIE (Spain): Performer and recording rightsholder agreements
- SODRAC (Brazil): Performer and recording rightsholder agreements
- MUYORBIR (Turkey): New performer agreement signed in 2026
- SAWP (Poland): New agreement signed in July 2026 for Annual Supplementary Remuneration (ASR) for performers
PPL's international agreements cover both performer royalties and recording rightsholder royalties. Some countries have separate agreements for each type. PPL retains over 99.9% of its international mandates, meaning foreign rightsholders trust PPL to collect on their behalf in the UK.
PPL's sister company VPL (Video Performance Limited) licenses music videos when they are played in public or broadcast on TV. VPL revenue is included in PPL distributions.
Notable Members
PPL represents over 182,000 performers and recording rightsholders, including self-releasing artists, session musicians, and major and independent record labels. Several notable artists and labels are associated with PPL:
- Lewis Capaldi (born 1996): Singer-songwriter. Signed with PPL for international neighboring rights royalty collection. Known for "Someone You Loved" and "Before You Go." Multiple Brit Award winner.
- Ice Spice (born 2000): Rapper. Signed with PPL for international neighboring rights collection. Known for "Boys a Liar Pt. 2" with PinkPantheress and "Deli."
- The Last Dinner Party: Five-piece indie rock band. Signed with PPL in 2024 for international neighboring rights collection. Topped UK charts with debut album "Prelude to Ecstasy" in February 2024.
- Robert Fripp (born 1946): Guitarist and founder of King Crimson. Involved in a public PPL dispute regarding his performer classification on David Bowie's "Heroes" and "Scary Monsters" albums. His case highlighted how performer classifications affect royalty distribution.
- Universal Music Group: Major record label and PPL recording rightsholder member. Represents artists including Taylor Swift, Drake, and Billie Eilish in the UK.
- Sony Music Entertainment: Major record label and PPL recording rightsholder member. Represents artists including Beyonce, Harry Styles, and Adele in the UK.
- Warner Music Group: Major record label and PPL recording rightsholder member. Represents artists including Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and Bruno Mars in the UK.
- XL Recordings: Independent label and PPL recording rightsholder member. Represents artists including Adele and Radiohead.
- Domino Recording Company: Independent label and PPL recording rightsholder member. Represents artists including Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand.
Similar PROs
- PRS for Music - United Kingdom's performing rights organization (songwriters and publishers)
- SoundExchange - United States' neighboring rights organization
- GVL - Germany's neighboring rights organization
- SAMI - Sweden's neighboring rights organization
- Gramo - Norway's neighboring rights organization
- PPCA - Australia's neighboring rights organization
- Full PRO Directory - Browse all performing rights organizations
Related Resources
- Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it differs from a neighboring rights organization
- Neighboring Rights - How neighboring rights work for performers and recording owners
- Performance Royalties - How performance royalties are generated and collected
- Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
- PPL Official Website - Visit PPL for membership and licensing information
- Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings
