How to collect music, royalties
An estimated 30% of music royalties go uncollected every year. This comprehensive guide shows you exactly where your royalties come from, how the collection process works, and how to make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
Where your royalties come from
Your songs earn money from more places than you might realize. Here are the primary revenue sources for songwriters and composers.
Interactive Streaming
Mechanical + performance royaltiesSpotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Tidal
Every time someone streams your song on-demand, two types of royalties are generated: a mechanical royalty (for the reproduction) and a performance royalty (for the public performance). These flow through different collection pathways.
Radio & Broadcast
Performance royaltiesFM/AM Radio, Satellite Radio (SiriusXM), Internet Radio (Pandora)
Radio play generates performance royalties collected by PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC in the US). Internet radio also generates a small mechanical royalty. Radio remains one of the largest sources of performance royalties globally.
Television & Film
Sync fees + performance royaltiesNetwork TV, Cable, Streaming Services (Netflix, etc.)
When your song is placed in a TV show or film, you earn a one-time synchronization license fee plus ongoing performance royalties every time that episode or film airs. International broadcast royalties can be substantial.
Public Venues
Performance royaltiesRestaurants, Bars, Retail Stores, Gyms, Hotels
Any business that plays music publicly must hold a license from PROs. These blanket license fees are distributed to songwriters based on survey data, airplay logs, and streaming analytics.
International Territories
All royalty types100+ countries with local collection societies
Your music generates royalties wherever it's played globally. Each country has its own collection societies (PRS in UK, GEMA in Germany, SACEM in France, etc.). Without proper international registration, these royalties go uncollected.
Video Games & Apps
Sync fees + mechanical royaltiesConsole games, mobile apps, fitness platforms
Gaming and apps represent a growing royalty source. Placements require a sync license, and interactive use generates mechanical royalties. The gaming music licensing market is expanding rapidly.
How the royalty collection process works
Understanding the collection pipeline helps you identify where leaks happen — and how to plug them.
Register Your Works
Every composition needs to be registered with relevant collection societies. This means filing with your PRO for performance royalties, your mechanical rights organization (like the MLC in the US), and international sub-publishers or collection societies for global coverage.
Societies Identify Usage
Collection societies monitor music usage across their territories — tracking radio airplay, streaming data, live performances, and broadcast logs. They match this usage data against their registered works database to determine which songwriters are owed royalties.
Royalties Are Calculated
Based on usage reports from platforms and venues, societies calculate the royalties owed to each rights holder. Rates vary by territory, platform, and royalty type. The calculation accounts for your ownership percentage, the type of use, and the applicable rate.
Funds Are Distributed
Societies distribute collected royalties to publishers and administrators, who then pay songwriters. Traditional publishers pay quarterly or bi-annually. At JukeHouse, we process payments monthly so you see earnings faster.
6 common royalty collection mistakes
Most songwriters lose money not because of bad deals, but because of simple administrative gaps. Here's what to watch for.
Not Registering with a PRO
Impact: Losing 100% of performance royalties
Fix: Sign up with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC as a songwriter member
Skipping Mechanical Royalty Collection
Impact: Missing streaming mechanical royalties (often 50%+ of total)
Fix: Register with the MLC or use a publisher like JukeHouse
Ignoring International Royalties
Impact: Leaving 30-50% of earnings uncollected overseas
Fix: Use a publishing administrator with global collection society relationships
Incorrect Song Metadata
Impact: Royalties attributed to wrong parties or held in 'black box' funds
Fix: Ensure ISRC, ISWC, IPI numbers, and songwriter splits are accurate everywhere
No Written Split Agreements
Impact: Disputes that freeze royalty payments for months or years
Fix: Create split sheets for every collaboration before release
Confusing Distribution with Publishing
Impact: Thinking your distributor handles publishing (they don't)
Fix: Understand that distribution = master royalties, publishing = composition royalties
Stop leaving money on the table
JukeHouse handles worldwide royalty collection — registering your songs with 60+ societies, tracking every stream, and paying you monthly.