What Are Performance Royalties?

 Performance royalties are payments made to songwriters, composers, and publishers whenever their song is performed publicly. Unlike mechanical royalties, which are triggered by reproduction or distribution, performance royalties are triggered by use of the song in public spaces or broadcasts.

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1. What Counts as a Public Performance?

A public performance includes any scenario where the general public hears your song. Examples:

• Radio play – FM, AM, or internet radio

• Television broadcasts – shows, commercials, news segments

• Streaming services – Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Pandora (performance royalties are included as part of streaming payouts)

• Live concerts or gigs – performances at venues, festivals, or online live streams

• Public spaces – restaurants, gyms, retail stores, or public events

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2. Who Collects Performance Royalties?

Performance royalties are collected and distributed by Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). Examples:

Country	PRO	Notes
USA	ASCAP, BMI, SESAC	Collect royalties for public performances
UK	PRS for Music	Collects royalties for both live and broadcast use
Canada	SOCAN	Tracks public performance usage
Kenya	MCSK (Music Copyright Society of Kenya)	Local collection for public performances

• PROs monitor, track, and pay royalties to songwriters and publishers when their music is performed publicly.

• Membership in a PRO is essential to receive performance royalties.

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3. Performance Royalties vs Mechanical Royalties

Royalty Type	Trigger	Paid To	Example
Performance	Public performance	Songwriter/Publisher	Radio play, live shows, streaming plays
Mechanical	Reproduction/distribution	Songwriter/Publisher	CD, vinyl, downloads, streams

Key difference:

• Performance royalties are about your music being heard, not copied.

• Mechanical royalties are about your music being reproduced.

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4. Performance Royalties From Streaming

• Modern streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music pay performance royalties as part of the streaming revenue split.

• Typically, a portion goes to the record label or distributor for master rights, and a portion goes to songwriters and publishers for performance rights.

• If you co-wrote a track with another artist (e.g., TabzGM & John), performance royalties are split according to the songwriting shares.

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5. Why Performance Royalties Matter

1. Consistent Revenue Stream – Even if you’re not selling physical copies, your music can earn money every time it’s played publicly.

2. Global Reach – Radio, streaming, and public performances worldwide generate royalties.

3. Important for Collaborations – Each songwriter or collaborator earns a share of performance royalties.

4. Essential for Licensing – TV, film, and ads pay performance royalties in addition to mechanical royalties.

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6. Tips for Independent Musicians

• Register with a PRO in your country (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, PRS, SOCAN, MCSK, etc.).

• Submit accurate metadata for your songs (songwriters, co-writers, publishers).

• Track plays and performances if possible — some PROs allow self-reporting for live gigs.

• Collaborations should have clear splits defined upfront to avoid royalty disputes.

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Conclusion:
Performance royalties are a vital revenue source for songwriters, ensuring you earn money whenever your music is performed publicly. By registering with a PRO and keeping metadata accurate, you can maximize income from live performances, radio, TV, and streaming, complementing mechanical royalties and other revenue streams.