UK-based music licensing body PPL distributed £96.7 million ($approx. $133 million) to 139,000 performers and recording rightsholders in Q2 2025, marking a 7% decrease from the £103.7 million ($142m) paid in Q2 2024. The distribution mainly covers UK collections from public performance and broadcast licensing throughout 2024, as well as additional revenue streams from international markets. PPL’s latest report showed that over 6,400 performers and recording rightsholders received their first-ever PPL payment in the Q2 2025 cycle. Since January, PPL has distributed a total of £167.8 million ($230m) to performers and recording rightsholders, either as direct PPL members or through partnerships with international collective management organizations (CMOs).
Beyond domestic UK collections, the Q2 payment includes substantial contributions from CMOs in France, the Netherlands, Japan, Norway, and the US. Some payments reflect 2025 airplay revenue from both US and Dutch markets. Singer and songwriter Cat Burns, who generated airplay in the UK with her tracks Go and People Pleaser, said: “PPL has played an important role in my journey. As things have grown, it’s meant a lot to know that they’re making sure I’m paid properly when my songs are played in public or broadcast, in the UK and abroad. I really appreciate the work they do.”
PPL noted that the Annual Supplementary Remuneration Fund, established following changes to copyright protection terms for sound recordings, continues expanding its international scope. This distribution marks the first ASR payment from France’s Société des Artistes Interprètes, covering airplay between 2014 and 2024. Additionally, over £1.1 million ($1.5m) was distributed to 278 recording rightsholders via PPL’s sister company VPL for music video licensing when broadcast or played in public venues.
