PPL

What PPL does

PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited), founded in 1934 and headquartered in London, is the UK's sole collective management organization (CMO) for recorded music performance rights. The organization licenses recorded music to UK broadcasters (over 400 commercial radio stations), TV channels, online services, and public venues, then collects and distributes royalties to its 150,000+ performer and recording rightsholder members. PPL operates a proprietary Repertoire Database containing 28 million+ commercially released sound recordings and 50,000+ music videos, with approximately 45,000 new recordings added weekly. The platform supports ISRC registration (PPL serves as the sole UK agency), IPN identification for international performers, and operates the Repertoire Data Exchange (RDx) on behalf of IFPI and WIN. Complementary technology infrastructure includes integration with SCAPR's Virtual Recording Database (VRDB) for cross-border performer data exchange and cutting-edge royalty matching technology.

PPL generates revenue exclusively through licensing royalties collected from UK music users and international neighbouring rights collections. UK revenue streams include tiered commercial radio licenses (e.g., £833–£1,516 minimums plus 2–5% of Net Broadcasting Revenue), community/student/hospital/prison radio licenses, TV and online broadcast licenses (minimum £21,782 for small linear TV channels), and public performance licensing administered through the PPL PRS Ltd joint venture with PRS for Music. International revenue, which grew 16% to £94.0 million in 2025, is generated through 115+ reciprocal CMO agreements covering 55 countries, with a flat 7% administration fee retained. Total 2025 revenue reached £315.3 million (4.75% YoY growth), of which £277.7 million was distributed to members. The organization is structured as a non-profit, member-owned entity that does not retain profits, with subsidiaries including VPL (wholly owned music video licensing) and PPL PRS Ltd (50/50 joint venture for TheMusicLicence).

Name

PPL

Legal name

Phonographic Performance Limited

Website

https://ppluk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PPL is the UK's sole collective management organization licensing recorded music for broadcast and public performance, collecting royalties from UK broadcasters and 115+ international CMOs to distribute to 150,000+ performer and recording rightsholder members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Rights Licensing

NAICS

Music Publishers (512230), Sound Recording Industries (5122), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Neighboring Rights Collection (Sound Recording Performance Rights) (MPAIAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) & Public Performance Licensing (MPAIAKAA), Music Rights Administration & Royalty Processing (Admin, Accounting, Statements) (MPAIAKAD), Performance Rights Administration (PRO Affiliation, Cue Sheet/Setlist Processing) (MPAIABAE)

Keywords

• Music rights licensing
• Recorded music royalties
• Neighbouring rights collection
• Broadcast music licensing
• Public performance licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. UK Music Licensing Fees: PPL collects license fees from businesses and broadcasters for the use of recorded music in the UK. This includes radio stations, TV channels, online services, and music service suppliers. After deducting operating costs, the fees are distributed to performers and recording rightsholders.
2. International Royalty Collections: PPL collects royalties internationally through its network of over 115 agreements with collective management organizations (CMOs) in 55 countries. International revenue grew 16% to £94.0 million in 2025. The service deducts a flat 7% fee for international collections.
3. Public Performance Licensing (via PPL PRS Joint Venture): PPL PRS Ltd, a joint venture with PRS for Music, administers TheMusicLicence for playing recorded music in public at workplaces and venues. Fees are split between PPL and PRS for Music.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) licenses recorded music in the UK for use in broadcast and public performance contexts, collecting licence fees from radio stations, TV channels, online streaming services, venues, workplaces, and music service suppliers. After deducting operating costs, it distributes the collected royalties to its 150,000+ performer and recording rightsholder members, including UK and international neighbouring rights collected through a network of 115+ CMO agreements covering 55 countries.

Product overview

PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) is the UK's music licensing organization operating as a single unified platform that licenses recorded music for broadcast and public performance, collects royalties, and distributes payments to over 150,000 performers and recording rightsholders. The core PPL service is complemented by VPL (Video Performance Limited) for music video licensing, with both operating from the same management. Key product components include the PPL Repertoire Database (28M+ recordings), the myPPL member portal, and various license types covering radio (commercial, community, student, hospital, prison), online streaming (Linear Webcast), TV broadcasting, and dubbing services. The International Royalties Collection Service extends coverage to over 110 countries through CMO agreements. The organization is a non-profit, deducting only operating costs before distributing royalties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PPL Traditional Radio Licence Annual licence for Ofcom-licensed commercial radio stations that include recorded music in UK broadcasts and internet simulcasts, covering over 400 stations. Tiered by platform type and net broadcasting revenue (NBR).
• Community Radio Joint Licence (PPL and PRS) Joint licence with PRS for Music covering the use of recorded music in community radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, small-scale DAB and internet simulcasts. Quarterly minimum fee structure.
• Student Radio Licence Licence for radio stations operating within schools or universities that use recorded music in broadcasts. Annual fees structured by transmission type and academic vs full year.
• Hospital Radio Licence Licence for long-term hospital radio services broadcasting in UK via low-powered AM/FM frequencies or hardwired services. Annual fees plus optional dubbing fees for copying music to internal databases.
• Linear Webcast Licence Annual licence for online radio stations or simulcasts of over-the-air broadcasts where audiences cannot interact with or change the listening experience. Band-based pricing by annual number of performances.
• PPL TV and Online Broadcast Licences Licences enabling broadcasters to use over 28 million recordings for use in TV, online programmes, FAST services, and on-demand/catch-up services. Case-by-case pricing depending on audience, music usage, and rights scope.
• On-demand Clips Licence Annual licence for use of recorded music as on-demand clips on online platforms. Tiered pricing by volume of clips used per year.
• Short-Term Restricted Service Licence Short-term broadcast licence for restricted service licences (RSLs) operating for limited periods. Daily rates with optional one-time fee for online simulcast.
• Dubbing Licence Licence for music service companies to copy recorded music from PPL's repertoire to create and supply specialised playlists for businesses, including background music providers, digital jukebox services, and DJ music suppliers.
• TheMusicLicence (PPL PRS Joint Venture Public Performance Licence) Public performance licence administered via the PPL PRS Ltd joint venture with PRS for Music, providing a single streamlined licence for UK workplaces and venues playing recorded music.
• International Royalties Collection Service Service collecting neighbouring rights royalties for performers and recording rightsholders when their recorded music is played around the world, through agreements with over 115 CMOs across 55 countries. Deducts a flat 7% administration fee.
• PPL Repertoire Database and Audio/Video/Label Search Public searchable database containing information about over 28 million commercially released sound recordings and 50,000+ music videos. Used by licensees to identify repertoire and by members/PPL staff to verify ownership and match usage.
• myPPL Member Portal Secure online member portal for performers and recording rightsholders to register repertoire, manage personal details, claim performances, and view royalty payment statements and quarterly distributions.
• VPL (Video Performance Limited) Music Video Licensing Sister company to PPL handling licensing of music videos when played in public or broadcast on television. Operates from the same building under common management, with PPL staff executing day-to-day operations.
• ISRC Registration Service UK sole-agency ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) registration service, allocating unique codes to sound recordings to enable identification and royalty tracking across the global music industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue grew 4.75% year-on-year to £315.3 million in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and supporting.

• Sangeet Dwar Platform (IPRS, Novex, RMPL, ISAMRA, NRAI, EEMA, FHRAI)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2026PPL India is part of a consortium leading 'Sangeet Dwar', a single-window platform for music licensing in India. The platform includes IPRS, Novex, PPL, RMPL, ISAMRA with support from NRAI, EEMA, FHRAI, aligned with government Ease of Doing Business framework. T-Series endorsed the initiative.
• PRS for Music (PPL PRS Ltd Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPL and PRS for Music established a joint venture company, PPL PRS Ltd, to provide a streamlined public performance license (TheMusicLicence) covering both recorded music rights (PPL) and musical composition rights (PRS). This joint venture simplifies licensing for businesses while maintaining both organizations' distinct roles.
• VPL (Video Performance Limited)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVPL is PPL's sister company handling the licensing of music videos when played in public or broadcast on television. Both organizations operate from the same building under common management, with VPL's day-to-day operations undertaken by PPL staff.
• 115+ International CMO PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationPPL maintains over 115 agreements with international collective management organizations (CMOs) across 55 countries, enabling the collection of neighbouring rights royalties for UK performers and recording rightsholders when their music is played abroad. Key markets include USA, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, and many more.
• UK MusicstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPL is a member of UK Music, the collective voice of the UK music industry. PPL CEO Peter Leathem OBE serves on the UK Music board. Member organizations include AIM, BPI, FAC, The Ivors, MMF, MPA, MPG, MU, and PRS for Music.
• IFPIstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPL works with IFPI, the voice of the recording industry worldwide representing approximately 8,000 record company members across 66 countries. PPL built and operates the Repertoire Data Exchange (RDx) on behalf of IFPI and WIN.
• SCAPRstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAPR (Societies' Council for the Collective Management of Performers' Rights) is the umbrella organization for performer CMOs worldwide, representing 60 CMOs from 45 countries. PPL CEO Peter Leathem sits on the SCAPR Board.
• DDEXstrategicTechnology or IntegrationDDEX is a standards setting organization focused on creating digital value chain standards for the music industry. PPL CIO Mark Douglas sits on the DDEX board, contributing to industry data standards.
• British Copyright CouncilstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe British Copyright Council (BCC) is a not-for-profit forum for discussion of copyright law at UK, European, and International levels. PPL General Counsel Camilla Waite serves as a Director of BCC.
• EquitystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. PPL collaborates with Equity on performer-related matters and Performer Guardian representation.
• PRS FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPPL supports the PRS Foundation Talent Development Network, fostering collaboration between 69 UK organizations supporting music creators, building on previous economic impact of over £1 million.
• Leonard CheshiresupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPPL partners with health and welfare charity Leonard Cheshire to offer paid summer placements for young people with disabilities, many of whom have transitioned into permanent roles at PPL.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SoundExchange: The US collective management organisation for neighbouring rights on sound recordings, performing the same function as PPL for American performers and labels. Operates a statutory licence under US Copyright law and distributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually from satellite radio, streaming, and webcasting — directly analogous to PPL's UK broadcast and online mandate.

Broad incumbents

• PRS for Music: The UK's performing rights organisation for musical compositions (PPL handles sound recordings). PPL's joint venture partner in PPL PRS Ltd, which administers TheMusicLicence for public performance; structurally complementary and often co-marketed, making it the closest incumbent counterpart.
• ASCAP: The largest US performing rights organisation for musical compositions. While PPL focuses on sound recordings and ASCAP on compositions, both are statutory CMOs licensing blanket rights to broadcasters and venues — comparable operational model at much larger scale.
• GEMA: Germany's performing rights organisation for musical compositions and one of the largest CMOs globally. Operates the same collective licensing model as PPL across broadcasters and public performance venues, albeit for composers rather than sound recording rights holders.

Regional players

• GVL (Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten): Germany's neighbouring rights CMO collecting for performers and record labels in the German market. A direct functional equivalent of PPL on a country-specific basis and one of PPL's reciprocal CMO partners for cross-border collections.
• SCPP (Société Civile des Producteurs Phonographiques): France's neighbouring rights collective for phonogram producers. Performs the same role as PPL for French-recorded repertoire and is a key reciprocal CMO for PPL's international collections from France.
• GRAMEX: The Nordic region's neighbouring rights CMO covering Denmark and broader Scandinavian performers. Direct functional peer for recorded music rights collection and one of PPL's reciprocal collection partners.
• PlayRight: Belgium's collective management organisation for neighbouring rights of performers. Operates the same performer-rights mandate as PPL within the Belgian market and participates in reciprocal CMO agreements.
• NUOVO IMAIE: Italy's neighbouring rights CMO collecting for performers. A direct functional analogue to PPL within the Italian market and a reciprocal collection partner for PPL international revenues.
• JASRAC: Japan's dominant performing rights organisation. Comparable CMO structure licensing music use to broadcasters and venues, providing a useful regional benchmark for collection efficiency even though it administers composition rather than sound recording rights.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/pplvideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/PPLmusic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/206677
• Instagraminstagram.com/ppl_uk
• Xx.com/ppluk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about PPL