PRS have recently released a new licensing model for small-scale concerts broadcast online via live-streaming. The new license will collect royalties to pay artists for shows based on the revenue they generate (if any).
Already, the move is causing quite a stir online, with the new tariffs coming “out of the blue”, making it difficult for businesses to use online streaming during a period where they have little to no revenue coming in. A lot of music venues have been doing live streaming either as a fund-raising process or to keep interaction alive with their followers. It has also been a great tool for artists to showcase new songs or albums.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the amount of revenue the stream generates, but a breakdown can be seen below:
- Less than £250 revenue – £22.50
- £251 – £500 revenue – £45
- £501 or more – Contact PRS for more info
A little confusing
The license seems to be a bit confusing, as a large number of on-line streams are broadcast from a venue by the artists who composed the songs, so collecting royalties on top of a stream (which in a lot of cases makes no revenue, or less than the minimum license fee) seems a bit backwards and will make streaming live events impossible for many.
Where this license DOES make sense, is people streaming, for example, live DJ sets where the they hold no rights to the music they are using. This would then pass the royalties back to the owners of the songs used as part of the DJ set.
As time goes on we are sure the details of where this license comes into play will become more clear, but for now, a lot of venues are pulling the plug on live-streaming as the license makes it unviable.
More Information
For more information about the license and for a breakdown of the costs, please visit the following URLS:
Announcement: https://www.prsformusic.com/press/2021/prs-for-music-launches-online-live-concert-licence-for-small-scale-livestreamed-gigs
Costs: https://www.prsformusic.com/licences/using-music-online/online-live-concert