In this episode, Tony breaks down how PRS for Music operates, what royalties you might be missing out on, and why registering your music is the most important step in securing your income. This episode covers everything from performance royalties and synchronisation licensing, to streaming payouts, metadata management, and how to claim unmatched, unclaimed and unallocated income. Plus, we dive deep into royalty splits, copyright disputes, and how to build your own “power team” (manager, lawyer and accountant) as your career grows.

Their conversation offered both practical advice for emerging creators and a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of the UK’s most important music institutions operates. This article gives you a snapshot of the topics covered as well as key takeaways.

What PRS for Music Does and Why It Matters

PRS for Music is a collective management organisation representing songwriters, composers and music publishers. Whenever music is used publicly in the UK or internationally, whether in a pub, hairdresser, stadium, radio station or on a streaming platform, PRS ensures the creators are paid.

The scale of this operation is immense. With around 50 trillion usages of music a year, tracking and monetising global performances requires advanced systems and substantial international cooperation. PRS now distributes more than £1 billion annually, highlighting both the volume of music being consumed and the strength of the UK’s songwriting talent worldwide.

For emerging musicians, PRS is often the first professional bridge between creative output and sustainable income.

Registering Works: A Crucial First Step

One of Tony’s key messages is simple but vital: register your music early. Without registration, PRS cannot identify the work, match usage to the correct creator or distribute any royalties due. Missing or inaccurate data is one of the primary reasons royalties are not paid on time.

Agreeing splits at the point of creation is equally important. Many collaborators, particularly younger or new artists, avoid conversations about percentage shares because they feel awkward. Yet disputes that arise months or years later can block payments indefinitely and even lead to the breakdown of friendships or bands.

By treating songwriting as both a creative pursuit and a small business from the outset, creators can avoid administrative and emotional challenges in the long-term.

Understanding Publishing, Royalties and Legal Agreements

As songwriters build traction, they may attract publishers, managers, labels and other industry partners. Tony emphasised the importance of understanding royalty splits and contract terms, particularly because publishing and recording rights are structured differently.

Independent legal advice is essential before signing any agreement, and PRS provides members with access to free professional guidance. Although the industry has evolved substantially since the restrictive lifetime contracts of the mid‑20th century, long-term deals still have implications for earnings that stretch far into the future.

Creators who understand how their rights are structured are better equipped to make informed decisions and protect their income.

How Streaming Has Changed the Royalty Landscape

Streaming is now the dominant method of music consumption and the largest income generator for PRS members. While streaming has created extraordinary global reach for artists, it has also introduced new challenges in terms of royalty allocation, fairness and transparency.

Tony and Danny discussed the disparity between label and publishing shares of streaming income, with songwriters typically receiving a much smaller proportion. Although this imbalance is widely debated, PRS is working to improve royalty flows by reducing admin deductions and modernising its internal systems.

Consumers often perceive streaming as free, especially on ad-supported platforms. This misconception adds to the need for continued awareness and education around valuing music fairly.

Cleaning Data and Reducing Unmatched Royalties

A significant part of PRS’s work nowadays involves improving global copyright data. Tony explained that unmatched, unclaimed or unallocated royalties occur when incomplete or conflicting data prevents PRS from identifying the correct rightsholder.

Initiatives such as Nexus and ICE are designed to clean, consolidate and automate global copyright information across societies. By linking songwriting codes (ISWC) and recording codes (ISRC), PRS aims to ensure creators are paid accurately regardless of how or where their music is used.

These efforts help reduce errors, speed up payments and improve transparency for writers and publishers.

Music Catalogue Valuations and the Growth of Rights Sales

The conversation also explored the rising trend of music catalogue valuations and sales. Once the preserve of legacy artists, catalogue sales have now become common among emerging creators who wish to finance future projects, build studios, clear debts or diversify their investments.

PRS plays a pivotal role in implementing these transfers, which have grown increasingly complex as catalogues become recognised as valuable financial assets. Whether a creator sells 10 per cent of a handful of songs or 100 per cent of an entire lifetime’s work, PRS ensures that royalties are redirected accurately and securely.

From estates selling heritage works to young producers monetising early hits, the variety and volume of catalogue transactions have expanded dramatically.

How Technology Continues to Reshape the Industry

Both Danny and Tony reflected on the extraordinary pace of technological change; from paper statements and CDs to AI‑generated tracks and instant global streaming. PRS is adapting by adopting new systems, pushing for monthly royalty distributions and embracing machine learning to recognise music usage more efficiently.

Technological shifts have also revived older works. A viral moment on TikTok or a placement in a hit TV series can bring decades‑old compositions back to the forefront, creating new income streams for writers long after their initial release.

A Human Story Behind the Data

Despite the focus on systems and royalties, the podcast reminds listeners of the personal side of music creation. Tony recounts a memorable meeting with ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, whose fascination with metadata led to his discovery that the ISWC for Dancing Queen is T‑000000001, the very first in the system. The story underlines how deeply intertwined artistry and data have become in the modern industry.

Looking Ahead

The music industry is evolving rapidly, but the fundamentals of protecting and valuing creative work remain the same. For emerging songwriters, the message is clear: register works early, understand your rights, build a reliable support network and treat your career as a business as well as an art.

With organisations like PRS for Music and firms like SRLV supporting creators at every stage, the pathway from creative spark to sustainable income has never been more accessible – provided the right steps are taken from the beginning.

Want to listen to the full episode? Check out Danny and Tony’s episode here.

 

Not Just A Number Podcast

Not Just a Number is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.

Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, leadership, top tips and trends – from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.

Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are shaping global industries and friends of our business. As with everyone we work with, they are really not “just a number”.

To find out more about Not Just A Number and discover our episode catalogue, click here.

 

This material is published for the information of clients and contacts. It provides only an overview of the regulations in force at the date of publication, and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed legislation or seeking professional advice. Therefore, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material can be accepted by the authors or SRLV LLP.