UK-based music licensing body PPL reported a record-breaking year in 2023, distributing a total of £279.6 million (approx. $352.3 million at current exchange rates) to over 165,000 performers and recording rightsholders in 2023.
The figure marks a 14.3%, or £34.9 million, increase from 2022 and the highest annual payout in PPL‘s 90-year history, the organization said Tuesday (February 7).
The sum includes a £7.7 million payment from VPL, PPL’s affiliated company responsible for licensing music videos in public venues or television broadcasts, which is a £1.6 million increase from the previous year.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, PPL’s final quarterly distribution, payouts also reached a record quarterly high of £48.7 million, paid out to 137,000 performers and recording rightsholders.
PPL attributed its 2023 performance to the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, with more businesses reopening in the UK and globally. Additionally, PPL’s extensive network of international agreements with other collective management organizations (CMOs) facilitated quicker royalty collection worldwide, the organization said.
“2023 was a record year for PPL and all our members, with a total of £279.6 million paid out. We understand these payments are critical for many and we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver them consistently and on time.”
Peter Leathem OBE, PPL
PPL says it holds over 110 CMO partnership agreements and claims to be the leading collector of neighboring rights income globally. Recent agreements with ISAMRA (India) and RAYS (Azerbaijan) expanded their reach, and the organization distributed its first payments from CMOs in Kazakhstan and Indonesia.
The company’s latest report also showed a significant increase in both the number of independent rightsholders and payouts. The number of independent rightsholders paid by PPL grew by 20% since 2019, with their distribution payment amount jumping 19% in 2023.
Wez Saunders, CEO of Defected Records, said, “2023 has been an exceptional year for PPL and underscores the genuine value it brings to businesses and artists alike.”
“While the sheer magnitude of these figures is undoubtedly impressive, PPL’s impact goes beyond numbers; it directly supports artists, helping them sustain their careers and creative endeavors doing what they do best.”
Wez Saunders, Defected Records
“While the sheer magnitude of these figures is undoubtedly impressive, PPL’s impact goes beyond numbers; it directly supports artists, helping them sustain their careers and creative endeavors doing what they do best, and ensures labels thrive thanks to their commitment to fair compensation.”
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO of PPL, added: “2023 was a record year for PPL and all our members, with a total of £279.6 million paid out. We understand these payments are critical for many and we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver them consistently and on time.
“As neighboring rights continue to develop around the world, we see a huge opportunity ahead to grow our market share and maximize revenues for performers and recording rightsholders.”
PPL’s highlights of 2023 include partnering with its peer, PRS for Music, and music technology startup Audoo on public performance royalty distributions, and sponsoring the Administrator of the Year category at the A&R Awards of 2023.
Music Business Worldwide
