If a song gets played on the radio, how much is paid in royalties to the owner of the songs rights? (per play)

Answer 1

Being a Production Music Composer myself, I've had to look into this quite a lot to find out, how to earn a living, but basically there's a lot of different factors that will contribute to an artist/songwriter getting paid their royalties.

To start, the royalties a split 50/50(usually - though depends on the deal) between the original songwriter and the performer.

Secondly the record label and/or publishing company take there cut, usually out of both halves. Again this depends on whether your the songwriter or performer of the song, and your particualr deal with either parties.

Thirdly, (this is where a lot of different factors come into play) all tracks are paid at a different rate of royalties depending on where/what they're played/broadcast on.... territories (as in, developed/developing/under-developed countires) type of broadcast (radio airplay/radio jingle/television advert/film soundtrack, etc.) and how many times they get played/broadcast. There are a few other factors, though aren't the main contributing factors of royalties.

So for example, if you had a song and it were to be played, say once in a country like somewhere in Africa or Eastern Europe or somewhere in South America, then you wouldn't get much at all, (definitely not worth shouting about), though on the other hand, if you were to have a song played/broadcast say 10-30/40 times a day over a number of weeks (which is usaully the case, with big hits) in a country like America or other developed country, then you could be eanring a nice living off it.

Always remember that the songwriter/performer never get paid a 100% of the roylaties, that would be too easy/simple. And also explains why copyright is such an important part of music/film industries.

If I remember rightly you can check out what they call a 'rate card' on the MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society) and PRS (Performers Rights Society) websites, from what I remember this is mainly for the United Kingdom royalty rates, though may include other territories.

Hope this helps you out.

Answer 2

I'm sure that I heard Colin on Radio one say that some royalties are paid out at about £70.

Answer 3

They dont get money per play, the radio station pays a one off fee for each single they use

Answer 4

In 1999 they got a nickle for each play :-)

Answer 5

A one of payment of about two pence

Answer 6

just a few pence each time it is played

Answer 7

I don't think it's very much