Reporting Music to PROs
Are you working on content destined for television, film or radio? Make sure you follow these easy steps to report the music used in your project.
What are Performance Rights?
Performance rights cover the public use of music in audiovisual content like TV shows, films, commercials, and online videos. When your project includes music and is broadcast, broadcasters must report that usage to Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). PROs track how often the music is played and make sure composers and publishers get paid.
FAQ
What is a PRO?
Did you know that, after your project is completed and turned in for broadcast, the music it contains will be monitored by music performance rights organizations (PROs)?
PROs are music rights management organizations who have existing agreements with TV networks, radio stations, and other public broadcasters. In the United States, they’re known as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC; in the UK, PRS; in Canada, SOCAN; and so on.
Broadcasting stations are obligated to report to PROs all the music used in their content. Based on this information, PROs will remunerate artists based on how often their music is played.
PROs are music rights management organizations who have existing agreements with TV networks, radio stations, and other public broadcasters. In the United States, they’re known as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC; in the UK, PRS; in Canada, SOCAN; and so on.
Broadcasting stations are obligated to report to PROs all the music used in their content. Based on this information, PROs will remunerate artists based on how often their music is played.
What does this have to do with me?
If you’ve purchased a PremiumBeat license, typically you don’t need to worry about paying any additional fees — this is handled exclusively by the broadcaster and PRO via blanket licensing agreements*. However, you have a duty to accurately report the music used in your project to the PRO and the music publisher (us).
Thanks to you, artists will be compensated for the public performance of their work.
Thanks to you, artists will be compensated for the public performance of their work.
How do I report the music used in my project?
Music is reported in a cue sheet, which contains details for all the music used in an audio or audiovisual production dedicated for public broadcast.
All composer and publisher information for our music is available on demand at support@premiumbeat.com. Simply provide us with the title(s) of the music track(s) used and we will supply you with the necessary cue sheet information.
Once you have completed the cue sheet, make sure you or your production company submits it electronically to every PRO listed in the sheet (see contact information below) and to the music publisher (us) at cuesheets@shutterstock.com.
ASCAP: cuesheet@ascap.com or tvcuesheet@ascap.com
BMI: cuesheets@bmi.com
SESAC: cuesheets@sesac.com
SOCAN: cuesheetsubmit@socan.com
PRS: avoverseascuesheets@prsformusic.com
APRA: onlinecues@apra.com.au
BUMA: cuesheet@bumastemra.nl
All composer and publisher information for our music is available on demand at support@premiumbeat.com. Simply provide us with the title(s) of the music track(s) used and we will supply you with the necessary cue sheet information.
Once you have completed the cue sheet, make sure you or your production company submits it electronically to every PRO listed in the sheet (see contact information below) and to the music publisher (us) at cuesheets@shutterstock.com.
ASCAP: cuesheet@ascap.com or tvcuesheet@ascap.com
BMI: cuesheets@bmi.com
SESAC: cuesheets@sesac.com
SOCAN: cuesheetsubmit@socan.com
PRS: avoverseascuesheets@prsformusic.com
APRA: onlinecues@apra.com.au
BUMA: cuesheet@bumastemra.nl
* Special Circumstances
In certain territories, such as Switzerland (SUISA), Germany (GEMA) and Japan (JASRAC), the local PROs operate a little differently than other PROs. They follow specific rule sets and abide by local laws.
It is possible that they may require additional performance license fees. Please contact the PROs directly should you have additional questions or concerns.
It is possible that they may require additional performance license fees. Please contact the PROs directly should you have additional questions or concerns.
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