PRS for Music
Performing Right Society for Music
Handles both PRS (performance) and MCPS (mechanical) in the UK.
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is the United Kingdom's collective management organization for songwriters, composers, and music publishers. It operates as an alliance between two organizations: PRS (the Performing Right Society, handling performance royalties) and MCPS (the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society, handling mechanical royalties).
PRS for Music represents over 180,000 members and licenses the use of over 40 million musical works. It collects performance royalties from broadcasters, streaming services, live venues, and businesses across the UK, and through reciprocal agreements with international societies, from around the world.
The UK is the world's third-largest music market (after the US and Japan), making PRS for Music one of the most significant collection societies globally. In 2023, PRS distributed over £1 billion to its members — a record figure.
How PRS for Music works
Members Register Works
Songwriters register compositions through PRS's online portal with complete metadata, splits, and publisher information.
PRS Licenses Music Users
PRS issues blanket licenses to UK broadcasters, streaming services, venues, and businesses. Over 770,000 premises hold PRS licenses.
Usage Is Tracked
PRS uses census data from digital platforms, broadcast monitoring, and venue reporting to track music usage across the UK.
MCPS Handles Mechanicals
The MCPS arm handles mechanical licensing and royalty collection for physical products, downloads, and streaming mechanical rights in the UK.
Why PRS for Music matters for songwriters
United Kingdom is served by PRS for Music for performance & mechanical royalties. Without direct registration, international songwriters rely on reciprocal agreements — which typically add 12–24 months of delay before royalties reach you.
Frequently asked questions about PRS for Music
Can US songwriters join PRS?
US songwriters should join a US PRO (ASCAP/BMI) as their primary society. PRS collects UK royalties for US writers through reciprocal agreements. Your publishing administrator ensures direct registration with PRS for faster collection.
What's the difference between PRS and MCPS?
PRS handles performance royalties (radio, TV, streaming performances, live). MCPS handles mechanical royalties (reproductions — streaming mechanicals, physical copies, downloads). Together as PRS for Music, they cover both.
How does PRS work with international societies?
PRS has reciprocal agreements with collection societies worldwide. When your music is performed in the UK, PRS collects and routes royalties to your home society. Vice versa for PRS members' music played abroad.
Collect your United Kingdom royalties automatically.
JukeHouse registers your songs directly with PRS for Music and 60+ other collection societies worldwide.