PPL and PRS for Music introduce new joint community radio licence

The licence is available to Ofcom-licensed community radio stations broadcasting on AM or FM and comes as both organisations aim to simplify tariffs for their customers

UK music licensing organisations, PPL and PRS for Music, have introduced a new joint licence, which came into effect on 1 January 2017, for Ofcom-licensed community radio stations broadcasting on AM or FM.  Both organisations are committed to simplifying music licensing for their customers and this new joint licence represents the first joint initiative for the radio broadcast sector.

Previously, not-for-profit community radio stations were required to purchase two separate licences from PPL and PRS for Music to cover the inclusion of music within their broadcasts.  By offering a joint licence, PPL and PRS for Music have further reduced the administration associated with licensing music rights for the community radio sector.

The joint licence is administered by PPL on behalf of both organisations and community radio stations can apply for and purchase their licence online via PPL’s website. In addition, as well as covering a station’s AM or FM broadcast, the optional right to license internet simulcasts and / or  small scale DAB simulcasts is included within the joint licence.

In accordance with the terms of their Ofcom licences, community radio stations are not-for-profit organisations that create direct links with their listeners, providing training opportunities and other social benefits to their local areas. 

We are delighted to be able to offer this new joint licence for community radio stations with PRS for Music; the first joint tariff for us in the radio broadcast sector.  Community radio plays a huge role in engaging with local listeners and stations are very often run by volunteers – we have spoken to our existing licensees and the Community Media Association and this simplified joint licence is a result of that consultation.  Approximately 240 on-air community radio stations will benefit from the new joint licence, as well as any future stations.

Radio can play an important role in bringing local communities together, with music helping to create vibrant and engaging programming for its listeners. Working together with PPL, we are pleased to be able to help community radio stations by ensuring that music licensing is made as easy as possible for those who keep the stations up and running behind the scenes.

About PRS for Music

Here for music since 1914, PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 175,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers. Redefining the global standard for music royalties, PRS for Music ensures songwriters and composers are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. 

For 110 years it has grown and protected the rights of the music creator community, paying out royalties with more accuracy, transparency and speed. In 2023, PRS for Music paid out £943.6m in royalties and collected a record £1.08 billion in revenues. prsformusic.com