My PRS statement has not arrived, what should I do?
If you are yet to receive your statement please contact us. Please allow 3 working days after the distribution date if you live in the UK and 10 working days if you live overseas before contacting us.
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I believe I have been paid incorrectly, what can I do?
If you think that the amount you have been paid for songs that you have registered is incorrect, and you have not found the solution on this page, please contact Member Services who will investigate further.
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I haven't received my money from the last distribution, what can I do?
Please note that our PRS for Music distribution dates are on the 15th of April, July, October and December. If you live in the UK the funds will clear in your account within 24 hours of distribution. If you live overseas please allow five to ten working days for the funds to clear. If you still need assistance, please contact us outlining your query so we can investigate.
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When will I get paid?
PRS for Music distributions (when we send the money out to our members) are quarterly and take place in April, July, October and December, and takes place on the 15th of the month, or the closet working day. MCPS distributions are monthly, and take place on the last working day of the month.
For detailed information regarding when you can expect to be paid your royalties, please visit:
PRS for Music payment schedule
MCPS payment schedule
For details on how we collect and distribute money from different sources (such as radio play, television, live venues, shops and clubs) please visit:
PRS for Music royalty sources
MCPS royalty sources
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How much do I get paid for a particular broadcast?
For radio/audio visual broadcasts - a lot of radio/TV stations are in fact under our sample policy whereby we only collect on the days of broadcast that our randomly generated sample date falls. For all sample day information please go to this page.
Cross reference the information you have against the sample tables. If your broadcast falls on one of the dates listed, use our unclaimed performances search engine on our site to search for that particular broadcast. If you find the broadcast, please put in a claim by clicking on the 'claim' icon. You can only use this function if you have signed up for an online account.
If you cannot find these on our unclaimed performances search engine on our site, contact us with the station and broadcast date information. Please note, we can only back claim performances that have been reported to us from the date of your effective membership date with a maximum back date of three years from the claim date. Also, if your work was not registered at the time of broadcast, we may not be able to collect royalties for you.
You should only chase this with us if two PRS for Music distributions have passed since the broadcast date.
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I don’t understand my statements
For help understanding your PRS for Music statement, visit this page.
If you need help understanding your MCPS statement follow this link, or view this guide.
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Can I see my statement online?
Currently you cannot, but we are committed to expanding our services further in the future.
You can opt for eStatements to be sent to you via email rather paper statements.
Request electronic statements
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What are the minimum distribution thresholds?
The minimum payable amount of royalties for all UK members is £30, while the minimum for all overseas members is £60.
View details on the minimum payment amount for PRS for Music distributions
View details on the minimum payment amount for MCPS distributions
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How much will I get paid for my live performance?
UK Concert Venues and Festivals
If you perform at a Concert Venue or Major Festival the royalty generated is dependant on the amount taken at the box office.
Find out information on how live royalties are calculated
UK concert venues are typically those venues whose principle business is promoting regular musical events.
Find out more about UK Concert Venues and Festivals
UK Gigs and Clubs Scheme
If you perform at a pub, club, bar, community centre or hotel each event will generate a net royalty of roughly £6.
Find out more about the Gigs and Clubs Scheme
Overseas Live Performances
PRS for Music members can earn royalties from performances of their works at gigs and festivals outside the UK
Find out more about Overseas Live Performances
Malta Gigs and Clubs Scheme
PRS for Music members in Malta can be part of the Gigs and Clubs Scheme and submit claims online
Find out more about the Gigs and Clubs Scheme in Malta
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How can I get financial advice?
Members frequently ask us for advice when it comes to financial matters. As we cannot provide this type of advice, we've compiled a list of qualified music business financial advisors who have agreed to help you in our Accountancy Referral Service.
See the list of accountants in the PRS for Music Accountancy Referral Service
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How do I collect overseas royalties?
PRS for Music – We have reciprocal agreements with affiliated performing rights organisations around the World. If your music generates a royalty from a performance overseas in these territories then we would expect the affiliated society to forward those royalties back to PRS for Music. Please note, that this is dependent on each affiliates royalty distribution policy and the revenue sections that we cover (e.g. cinemas) may not be covered by individual affiliates. Please familiarize yourself with how we collect your royalties from our affiliates.
If you wish to chase any overseas performances and/or broadcasts, you can notify us of the performances/broadcasts which are known to have taken place, providing the information listed below. We will then contact the relevant affiliates on your behalf. Please contact us here with the following information:
Music broadcast on TV or Radio - we will need:
- The TV or radio station that it appeared on
- The date and time that it was broadcast
- Name of the show and/or use of the music
- If it is a commercial, the clock number/slash consignment note number is required
- The number of times your music was played
Live performances - we will need:
- The date and time that it was performed
- The venue or event that the performance took place at
- The number of performances of the piece of music
- Duration of the complete performance (total of all works performed)
- A copy of the set list used for that performance
MCPS - You should notify us if you know your music has been released overseas provided you are not sub-published in the country of release.
View information about MCPS International Royalty Claims
View the International Royalty Claims form
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What is my upcoming distribution amount?
PRS for Music - You can normally find your upcoming distribution amount on your main online account page, roughly 5 working days before distribution.
MCPS - We distribute mechanical payments monthly. Your MCPS distribution amount is not available online.
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I believe I am owed royalties from a previous year
If you believe you are owed money, and none of the answers on this page have helped you, you can request PRS for Music to follow this up by contacting the appropriate department or raising a Service Request.
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Can I claim royalties from a previous time period?
It is possible to claim royalties from a previous time period. In order to do so you must open up what is known as a back-claim request.
PRS for Music - back-claim requests varies between revenue streams.
View more information about PRS for Music back-claims
MCPS - back-claims arise when the status of a piece of music changes (e.g. if you register music that has already been released and was previously unregistered). They allow you to claim royalties owed to you for the use of your music.
View more information about MCPS back-claim requests
If you wish to proceed with making a back-claim, please raise a Service Request
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