What SESAC Music Group does

SESAC Music Group is a private, multinational music rights company founded in 1930 and headquartered at 250 West 57th Street in New York, with 501-1,000 employees operating across offices in Nashville, Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, London, Manchester, Sydney, and Zurich. The company operates four divisions — Performing Rights, Music Services, Audiovisual Music, and Church Music Resources — through a portfolio of more than 15 wholly-owned subsidiaries and one joint venture, collectively representing music rights for songwriters, composers, publishers, independent labels, broadcasters, brands, and churches globally.

The company's technology stack spans proprietary rights administration and metadata platforms, including AudioSalad (metadata and media asset management), HFA (mechanical licensing and royalty distribution), HAAWK (YouTube and UGC content ID and monetization), Audiam (digital royalty collection leveraging big data), Rumblefish (rights administration for digital businesses, including TikTok/CapCut via ByteDance and Pinterest), SongFile (self-service cover song licensing), and the MINT Digital Services joint venture with Switzerland's SUISA for multi-territorial online licensing. The Church Music Resources division comprises CCLI, Christian Copyright Solutions, Loop Community, WorshipTools, and SundaySounds — a vertically integrated stack of licensing, compliance, and worship software tools serving congregations worldwide.

SESAC generates revenue primarily through performance royalty collection, mechanical licensing, synchronization licensing (via Audio Network), subscription and licensing fees for church music resources, and B2B technology/rights administration services. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales for publishers, labels, broadcasters, and platforms with self-service portals (SongFile, sesac.com) for SMB and individual creators. In August 2025, the company closed an $889 million whole business securitization, reflecting the scale and recurring nature of its royalty and licensing cash flows, and indicating institutional confidence in the operating platform.

Name

SESAC Music Group

Legal name

SESAC Rights Management, Inc.

Website

https://sesacmusicgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

SESAC Music Group is a global music rights company managing performance royalties, mechanical licensing, sync, and church music licensing through a portfolio of 15+ subsidiaries, serving songwriters, publishers, labels, broadcasters, platforms, and churches across the US, UK, Australia, and Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Rights Management

NAICS

Music Publishers (512230), Music Publishers (51223)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) & Public Performance Licensing (MPAIAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Royalty Accounting & Payment Services (Statements, Audits, Payee Management) (MPAIABAL), Global Rights Representation & Sub-Publishing/Reciprocal Collection Services (MPAIAKAI), Sync Rights Representation (Pitching, Clearance, Negotiation) (MPAIABAF), Micro-Licensing & Direct Licensing Platforms (UGC, SMB venues, online uses) (MPAIAKAJ), Music & Audio Rights for Broadcast (Sync/Master/Library) (MPABANAF)

Keywords

• Music rights management
• Performing rights organization
• Music licensing services
• Synchronization licensing
• Mechanical rights administration

Headquarters

HQ city

New City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Performing Rights Royalties: Collection and distribution of performance royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers. SESAC operates as a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) collecting royalties from businesses that publicly perform music.
2. Mechanical Rights Management: Through HFA, provides mechanical rights management and royalty distribution services for music distributors, songwriters, and publishers for physical and digital reproductions.
3. Music Services Administration: Technology, licensing, and administration services through subsidiary companies including AudioSalad, Audiam, HAAWK, Rumblefish, Music Services, and SongFile.
4. Synchronization Licensing: Through Audio Network, provides sync licensing for original music used in TV, video, advertising, and enterprise productions.
5. Church Music Licensing: Through CCLI, Christian Copyright Solutions, Loop Community, and WorshipTools, provides church music licensing and worship resources.
6. Digital Licensing: SESAC Digital Licensing negotiates global multi-territorial license agreements with online service providers for territories outside the United States.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SESAC Music Group is a global multi-line music company that collects and distributes performance royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers, and provides technology-enabled music licensing, rights administration, and metadata management services through subsidiaries such as AudioSalad, Audiam, HAAWK, HFA, Rumblefish, SongFile, Audio Network, and church music resource companies including CCLI. It sells performing rights, mechanical rights, synchronization licenses, and church music licenses to publishers, record labels, broadcasters, brands, businesses, and churches.

Product overview

SESAC Music Group is a global multi-line music company organized into four main divisions: Performing Rights (SESAC Performing Rights), Music Services, Audiovisual Music, and Church Music Resources. The Music Services division is a collection of world-class companies providing technology, licensing, and administration services, including AudioSalad (metadata and media asset management), Audiam (digital royalty collection), HAAWK (YouTube Content ID), HFA (mechanical licensing), Rumblefish (music licensing for businesses), Mint Digital Services, SongFile, and Music Services Administration. The Church Music Resources division includes CCLI, Christian Copyright Solutions, Loop Community, WorshipTools, and SundaySounds. The company supports creators across every corner of the music industry through rights management, licensing, and technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AudioSalad: Industry-leading technology platform for independent record labels and rightsholders providing metadata and media asset management, delivery, and distribution
• Audiam
• HAAWK
• HFA
• Mint Digital Services
• Rumblefish
• SongFile
• Audio Network
• CCLI
• Christian Copyright Solutions
• Loop Community
• WorshipTools
• SundaySounds

Products and services

• SESAC Performing Rights Performing rights organization providing collection and distribution of performance royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers. Licenses the SESAC-affiliated music catalog to businesses that publicly perform music.
• AudioSalad Industry-leading metadata and media asset management, delivery, and distribution platform for independent record labels and rightsholders. Provides content management and digital distribution to streaming and download services.
• Audiam Digital royalty collection agency for music publishers and record labels, leveraging big data to identify and collect royalties on user-generated content platforms such as YouTube.
• HAAWK YouTube Content ID and meta rights management platform providing copyright monitoring and monetization tools for creators on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other user-generated content platforms.
• HFA (Harry Fox Agency) Mechanical licensing institution providing rights management and royalty distribution services for music distributors, songwriters, and publishers for physical and digital reproductions.
• Mint Digital Services Joint venture between SESAC and Swiss collective management organization SUISA that administers licenses for musical compositions in multi-territorial online music services for music publishers and rightsholders.
• Music Services Administration Independent music administration company providing back office solutions for music publishing and record labels through proprietary licensing and royalty management database systems.
• Rumblefish Music licensing and rights administration platform for businesses, providing music rights management to help digital businesses and brands with licensing, data management, and royalty administration. Used by ByteDance for TikTok and CapCut and by Pinterest for music metadata and license management.
• SESAC Digital Licensing Global digital music collection agency negotiating multi-territorial license agreements with online service providers for writers, publishers, and collection societies outside the United States.
• SongFile Self-service portal for independent creators to search, license, and pay for cover songs across physical and digital formats including CDs, downloads, ringtones, and streams.
• Audio Network Global provider of original music for TV, video, enterprise, and advertising through sync licensing and consulting services across multiple genres.
• CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) Church copyright licensing providing real-time access to licensed Christian music and media while simplifying administration for churches.
• Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS) Performance licensing solutions for churches enabling legal play, performance, and streaming of Christian, secular, and holiday songs across all genres.
• Loop Community Worship tracks and tools provider offering quality affordable tracks, hardware, software, and training for worship leaders.
• WorshipTools Software tools for churches and worship teams to present, plan, and program songs and videos.
• SundaySounds Keyboard sounds and app (Sunday Keys) designed for today's worship songs, helping churches create cohesive worship moments.

Quantifiable outcome

• SESAC Music Group closed an $889 million whole business securitization in August 2025, demonstrating strong financial position and investor confidence

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RecoChokucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025AudioSalad announced a strategic partnership with RecoChoku to accelerate Japanese market expansion. RecoChoku is a leading Japanese digital music distribution and mobile content service provider.
• AudioSaladcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2023SESAC Music Group acquired AudioSalad, a technology platform specializing in content management and distribution for the independent music sector. The acquisition aimed to leverage AudioSalad's technical leadership to enhance SESAC's global rights management and digital music services.
• SUISAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture between SESAC and Swiss collective management organization SUISA to administer licenses for musical compositions in multi-territorial online music services through MINT Digital Services.
• Anti Social CampminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSESAC Music Group is a proud partner of Anti Social Camp, the biggest songwriting camp in the world, which celebrates songwriters and impacts culture with new hit singles.
• Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSESAC participates in Tin Pan South and supports NSAI, the largest nonprofit trade association for songwriters with over 5,000 members worldwide.
• Songwriters Hall of FameminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSESAC supports the Songwriters Hall of Fame which ensures legacies of great songwriters are passed to next generations through annual induction ceremonies.
• Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSESAC partners with BMAC which works to champion artists and create equity within the music industry through advocacy and community programs.
• AIMPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSESAC supports AIMP (Artists Industry Music Professionals) as part of its partner network advocating for the creative community.
• MusiCaresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSESAC highlighted MusiCares as a resource for LA music community affected by 2025 wildfires. MusiCares pledged $1 million to support music professionals.
• Sweet Relief Musicians FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSESAC shared information about Sweet Relief Musicians Fund which provides financial assistance to career musicians and music industry workers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers): The largest US PRO, directly comparable to SESAC's core performing rights business. Both organizations collect and distribute performance royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and publishers, serving overlapping business licensees across the US.
• BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.): The second-largest US PRO, directly competing with SESAC for songwriter affiliations and business licensing relationships. Operates a comparable public performance licensing model targeting broadcasters, venues, and digital services.
• Global Music Rights (GMR): US PRO representing high-profile songwriters and publishers, acquired by Hellman & Friedman for $3.3B in 2024. Directly comparable as a competing PRO with a premium songwriter roster and similar licensing mechanics.
• PRS for Music: UK-based PRO and one of the world's largest collecting societies. Comparable to SESAC in core PRO function with broader international reach, providing a benchmark for global PRO operations.
• GEMA: Germany's PRO and one of the largest collecting societies worldwide. Comparable to SESAC in administering performing rights, mechanical rights collection, and rights representation for songwriters and publishers.
• The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective): US designated mechanical licensing collective administering blanket and individual mechanical licenses for musical works. Directly comparable to SESAC's HFA subsidiary for mechanical rights administration in the US.
• SoundExchange: US non-profit performance rights organization administering digital performance royalties for sound recordings. Adjacent to SESAC's PRO function with complementary (rather than overlapping) royalty collection mandate for master recording rights.

Emerging players

• Kobalt Music Group: Technology-driven music rights administrator representing songwriters, publishers, and labels. Comparable to SESAC's Music Services division (Audiam, AudioSalad, Rumblefish) in providing technology-enabled royalty administration and rights management.
• Epidemic Sound: Subscription-based sync licensing platform providing royalty-free music for content creators, brands, and enterprises. Comparable to SESAC's Audio Network subsidiary in sync licensing and to broader music services offerings.

Broad incumbents

• BMG Rights Management: Major music publisher and rights administrator owned by Bertelsmann. Comparable to SESAC across music publishing administration, sync licensing, and digital rights management with broader catalog scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sesac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sesacmusicgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SESAC Music Group