PPL's journey so far

In 2019, PPL celebrates its 85th anniversary, making us the oldest collective management organisation for performers and recording rightsholders in the world. Over the last 85 years of PPL’s history, we have collected more than £3.2 billion for the recording rightsholders and performers that we represent.

This is the result of having a clear strategic vision, making smart investment decisions in technology, and building the expertise of our diverse workforce, all of which combine to form the modern day PPL. Collaboration has also been central to this success and I would like to thank all of our members, partners, and friends for their continued support.

Peter Leathem


1934 – 2019: A Review

1934

PHONOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE LIMITED IS FOUNDED

PPL was formed in May 1934 by the record companies EMI and Decca Records, following a ground-breaking court case against a coffee shop in Bristol.

The coffee shop, Stephen Carwardine & Co, had been keeping its customers entertained by playing records. EMI, then called The Gramophone Company, argued it was against the law to play the record in public without first receiving the permission of the copyright owners. The judge agreed, establishing this as an important legal principle.

EMI and Decca formed Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) to carry out this licensing role and opened the first office in London.

1956

The Copyright Act

There has been much technological, social and legal advancement since PPL was formed in the 1930s. The Copyright Act 1956 led to PPL’s role expanding to cover the licensing of broadcasters that played recorded music.

1960 –70s

Love music, love radio

The popularity and growth of radio in the 1960s and 70s led to burgeoning PPL revenues. Further copyright law changes in 1988 strengthened PPL’s licensing position.

1996

Equitable remuneration

In 1996, performers were given the right to receive ‘equitable remuneration’ where recordings of their performances were played in public or broadcast – leading to PPL paying them royalties directly for the first time.

2006

Performers join PPL

Performer organisations PAMRA and AURA merged with PPL in 2006, leading to an annual meeting and dedicated board specifically for performers.

2018

PPL PRS Ltd launches

Just over ten years later in 2018, the creation of a new company for public performance licensing created a landmark moment in the licensing of the UK music industry’s creative output and in PPL’s history. PPL and PRS for Music, joined forces to launch PPL PRS Ltd – jointly and equally owned by both companies. The new joint licence was called TheMusicLicence and brought to an end the need for customers to purchase separate PPL and PRS for Music licences from each individual organisation.

2019

PPL CELEBRATES 85 YEARS

From collecting £1 million in our first decade of business to now collecting almost £250 million a year, we are managing more rights for more members with a larger amount of money being paid out. We have also expanded our global footprint further to collect royalties internationally through 92 agreements with our overseas counterparts for when our members’ recordings have been played in other countries.

PPL In Numbers

£246.8 Million

Collected in 2018

14 Million

Data recordings managed

£3 Billion

Collected revenue for performers and recording rightsholders

£429.1 Million

Collected from outside of the UK since 2006

37,000

Recordings uploaded to the PPL Repertoire Database each week

92

Signed agreements with international collective management organisations

105,192

Performers & recording rightsholders paid in 2018

2,000

Licensed TV, radio and online stations Data recordings managed
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

Congratulations to Peter and his team at PPL on the occasion of their 85th anniversary. The work they do ensuring artists and record companies are justly rewarded enables us to continue to invest in creative talent.

PPL stands up for the true value of music and I would like to thank them on behalf of Sony Music and our artists.

Jason Iley, Chair & Chief Executive Officer, Sony Music UK & Ireland
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

Congratulations to Peter and all the good people at PPL, past and present, on 85 years of standing up for music.

It is important to be reminded of history and celebrate what PPL has achieved because it informs and drives what comes next. Looking back at our time advising on the merger of PPL, PAMRA and AURA we can see that the bringing together of performers and producers into one united body has engendered enhanced levels of trust, transparency and joined up thinking. This is one of the reasons PPL has been able to lead from the front on innovations in systems and business models that have significantly improved the business of collective rights management, not just in the UK but across the world.

As PPL continues to build partnerships with CMOs and others across different sectors, territories and the wider industry, we only hope that it continues in the same spirit as it has shown to date. Well done PPL.

Alexander Ross, Partner & Peter Mason, Senior Associate, Wiggin
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

The international independent sector relies on its colleagues at organisations like PPL to help ensure labels and performers are paid fairly for public performance and broadcast of their recordings in an increasingly globalised industry. PPL plays a key role together with its sister organisations around the world to deliver infrastructure and solutions, without which many artists and labels would struggle to receive the performance revenues they are due, especially from overseas. We would like to congratulate PPL's management and technical teams on their hard work in this area. On behalf of WIN and its independent association and label members, happy 85th anniversary, and here's to many more years of constructive work!

Charlie Phillips, Chief Operating Officer, WIN
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

Peter and his dedicated team at PPL sit right at the heart of our industry, protecting the rights of those who shape our culture and ensuring that they are being compensated both fairly and equitably. As PPL moves into its 85th year we look back on the giant strides they have made in significantly improving collections and distributions, and look ahead with the confident knowledge that they will continue to take that same progressive approach as our business evolves further.

Peter Breeden, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Warner Music UK
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

PPL plays an important if often unsung role in our industry, providing an increasingly significant source of income for our artists and labels. My thanks to Peter and his team on behalf of everyone at Universal Music for the hard work which turns licensing income into such a prominent part of the industry's overall revenues.

David Joseph, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Music UK & Ireland
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

Congratulations to the whole team at PPL on your 85th anniversary.

Thank you for all you do, day in, day out, to ensure performers are rightly rewarded for their work and that record companies can see a return that enables them to invest in future talent and maintain the global success of our world-leading music industry.

Peter Leathem is extremely well-regarded in the corridors of power and is seen as an outstanding industry leader. At PPL he has assembled an inspiring team of professionals who remain totally dedicated to the people they serve with such distinction. And of course without PPL there simply would not be a UK Music - committed to driving the big changes we need to protect, nurture and grow our industry for the future.

So happy birthday PPL. Long may you continue!

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive Officer, UK Music
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

We would like to extend our congratulations to PPL on its 85th anniversary. Music is a vital part of the BBC content and services and, as technology evolves, our licensing agreement means we can deliver the best of British programming to audiences around the globe. We value the team's professionalism and hope our collaboration continues to thrive.

Tim Davies, Chief Executive Officer, BBC Studios
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85 Years of PPL

Testimonials

To read more testimonials from our partners and sister organisations, please read our Annual Review 2018