ASCAP and PRS reported about record royalties

ASCAP, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the world leader in performing rights and advocacy for music creators, announced record-high revenues and distributions in 2017. The organization, which today represents more than 660,000 members, collected approximately $1.144 billion in revenues last year and distributed for the first time more than $1.007 billion to its songwriter, composer and music publisher members. Total ASCAP revenues increased by 8 percent and distributions were up 10 percent year-over-year.

Revenues from ASCAP’s licensing efforts in the US alone grew nearly 11 percent in 2017 to $846 million, up $86.9 million over 2016.

Domestic distributions from ASCAP-licensed and administered performances in the US also increased, to $723 million, up 15 percent over 2016.

At the same time PRS (Performing Right Society) is celebrating record financial results as the organisation that represents the rights of over 130,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in the UK and two million worldwide, once again, in 2017, paid more royalties to music creators than ever before. PRS distributed an all-time high of £605.1m to its members for the use of their musical works, an increase of £77.5m, up 14.7% on 2016.

With 6.6 trillion performances of music reported to PRS last year, 53% more than in 2016, including streams, downloads, broadcasts and live music shows, the music licensing company collected a record £717m on behalf of its members, an increase of 12.7% (£80.7m) year-on-year.

International revenue generated from members’ music played abroad reached a new milestone, with over a quarter of a billion pounds (£261.4m) in revenue received, up 5.2%, or £12.9m, year-on-year on a constant currency basis. This is a reflection of the continuing popularity of PRS members’ repertoire across the globe, with several major live world tours and international chart successes in 2017 contributing to the result.

Revenue from music played via online platforms saw the most significant uplift at 52.7% (£42.4m) to £122.9m, driven by new multi-territory licensing deals brokered with leading digital platforms via PRS’ joint venture partner, ICE.

www.cisac.org

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