How to Choose a Performing Rights Organization as an Independent Artist
A plain-English guide to ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, and international PROs for independent artists and songwriters who want to register their works and collect performance royalties.
The short answer
A performing rights organization collects public performance royalties on your behalf from radio, streaming, venues, and digital services. In the US, the main options are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. In Canada, SOCAN handles performance rights. Choosing the right PRO depends on your territory, genre, touring habits, and catalog plans. Once you join, register every song before it airs or streams. This guide explains what each PRO does and how to decide.
Three things to know
- 01
PROs collect public performance royalties from radio, streaming, live venues, and digital services that a distributor does not collect.
- 02
In the US, ASCAP and BMI are the most common options for independent artists. Both are free to join as writer members.
- 03
You should register each song with your PRO as soon as possible, ideally before it is released or played publicly.
What is a performing rights organization and what does it collect?
A performing rights organization, or PRO, licenses public performances of your music and distributes the resulting royalties to songwriters and publishers. Public performances include radio broadcasts, live venue performances, streaming services, television placements, and background music in businesses. Without PRO registration, you may not collect these royalties at all, because the payments go unclaimed or remain in the PRO's undistributed pool. Your distributor collects master recording royalties on your behalf, but performance royalties for the underlying composition flow through your PRO. Joining and registering your works is one of the most important administrative steps a songwriter can take.
How do ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC differ for independent artists?
ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) are the two largest PROs in the United States. Both are free to join as a writer member. ASCAP is member-owned and distributes all collected royalties minus operating costs. BMI is a for-profit company that also distributes royalties after costs. SESAC is invitation-only and has historically focused on certain genres, though it has expanded its roster. The practical difference between ASCAP and BMI for most independent artists is minor. Some artists choose based on genre community, peer recommendations, or specific royalty rate experiences. You can only belong to one US PRO at a time as a writer.
How do international PROs like SOCAN, PRS, and APRA work?
Each country has its own PRO. In Canada, SOCAN handles both performance and mechanical royalties for songwriters. In the UK, PRS for Music is the primary PRO. In Australia and New Zealand, APRA AMCOS handles performance rights. If you are based in the US and your music is played internationally, your US PRO has reciprocal agreements with most international PROs. This means your US PRO should be collecting on your behalf in other territories without you needing to join each country's organization. Always confirm your PRO's reciprocal territory coverage, especially if you have significant streaming or airplay in specific countries.
When should you join a PRO and how do you register your songs?
You should join a PRO before your music is played publicly or streamed. Royalties generally cannot be collected retroactively for periods before you were a registered member with registered works. The process involves creating a writer account, then registering each song with its title, ISRC code, co-writer splits, and publisher information if applicable. You do not need a publisher to join as a writer. Some PROs let you act as your own publisher for an additional registration step. Register every track, including album cuts and non-single tracks, because background plays in sync or broadcast situations can generate unexpected royalties.
How do PROs calculate and pay royalties?
PROs use a combination of data collection methods to calculate royalties, including radio logs, venue setlists, digital streaming reports, and census data. Each PRO has its own formula for weighting different data sources and payout periods. Most PROs pay quarterly, though the timing of when performances are reported and when royalties are distributed can mean a 6 to 18 month lag between a performance happening and you receiving payment. Digital performance royalties from streaming services have their own separate reporting timelines. Royalty statements from your PRO will show you how much each song earned in each category and territory.
What should you do if your PRO payments seem wrong or incomplete?
If your royalty statement looks incorrect, start by verifying that all your songs are registered with the correct ISRC codes, writer splits, and publisher information. Missing or incorrect metadata is the most common reason royalties go uncollected. If your music received significant airplay or sync placements and your statement does not reflect it, contact your PRO's member services team with documentation of the performances. Some PROs have a dispute process for challenging calculated royalties. This guide is educational and not legal advice. For complex royalty disputes or contract questions, consult a qualified music attorney.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I be a member of more than one PRO at the same time?
- No. As a songwriter in the US, you can only belong to one PRO at a time as a writer member. You can switch organizations, but you must resign from your current PRO before joining another, and switching can affect in-flight royalty payments.
- Do I need a publisher to join a PRO?
- No. You can join as a writer member without a publisher. Many independent artists register as their own publisher by creating a publishing name and registering it separately. This allows you to collect both the writer and publisher share of performance royalties.
- Does my distributor collect the same royalties as my PRO?
- No. Your distributor collects master recording royalties from streaming services on your behalf. Your PRO collects performance royalties for the underlying composition. These are separate income streams. Without PRO registration, the composition royalties from performances may go uncollected.
- How long does it take to receive my first PRO royalty payment?
- Most PROs pay quarterly, and the lag between a performance and payment can be 6 to 18 months depending on how the performance was reported. New members should expect their first payment to arrive several months after joining and registering works.
- Is there a fee to join ASCAP or BMI?
- BMI is free to join as a writer member. ASCAP charges a one-time membership fee, currently around $50 for individual writer members as of this writing. SESAC is invitation-only and does not have an open application process.