What isn’t covered by a Student Radio Licence?
The Student Radio licence does not grant any rights in respect of the public performance of music tracks. You will need to contact our sister company, PPL PRS, to license the playing of music in public. If your student radio station also broadcasts on the internet and/or an intranet that is accessible outside the premises, you will […]
What rights will the Student Radio Licence grant my radio station?
The Student Radio licence covers the use of recorded music tracks by student radio stations based in the UK that broadcast within their school or university premises by one or more of the following methods: Ofcom-licensed low-powered AM or FM Hardwire (e.g. a connected speaker system in the school’s common areas) Password-protected intranet transmissions Once […]
Why do I need a PPL Student Radio Licence?
When a student radio station includes recorded music tracks in its broadcast, it needs permission from the owner of the copyright in each individual track. Given the huge number of record companies in the UK alone, it would be a huge task for any radio station to approach each and every copyright owner to obtain […]
What is NBR?
NBR stands for Net Broadcasting Revenue. In summary, it is 85% of the gross income (before any deduction of agency commissions or any other deductions) whether in money or money’s worth derived and received by the licensee, including but not limited to advertising, sponsorship, barter and contra deals and other revenue related to the licensee’s […]
I already have an Ofcom licence, why do I need a licence from PPL and PRS for Music?
Ofcom is the regulator for over the air broadcasts in the UK. An Ofcom Community Radio Licence gives a radio station the right to provide community radio AM or FM broadcasts in a particular area. However, the Ofcom licence does not grant the rights to broadcast PPL or PRS for Music repertoire. PPL and PRS for Music control copyright […]
We are registered charity, do we still need a Joint Licence?
Yes, there are no exceptions for charity radio stations.
Do all community radio stations need to have a Joint Licence?
All Ofcom-licensed community radio stations require a Joint Licence if they broadcast PPL and PRS for Music’s members’ repertoire. See our Community Radio licence page for more information.
How is the Joint Licence for Community Radio administered?
The Joint Licence is administered by PPL, on both its and PRS for Music’s behalf. PPL is now the sole point of contract for any queries or changes regarding your licence. Other types of music usage or additional simulcasts (e.g. by local DAB or satellite) may attract additional fees and require separate licensing. Please contact […]
I want to set up a community radio station, where do I start?
The first point of call for all radio stations wishing to broadcast on AM or FM is Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK. For more information, please refer to the Ofcom website. If you want to set up a community radio station that broadcasts online only, you can find further information on the online licensing […]
What is PRS for Music and do I need a separate licence from them?
PPL and PRS for Music are two, separate, independent companies. While we both license the use of music and collect royalties for the music industry, we represent different rightsholders and have separate licences, terms and conditions. PPL collects and distributes money for the use of recorded music on behalf of recording rightsholders (e.g. record companies) and performers. PRS […]
My station broadcasts specialist repertoire, how do I know if it belongs to your members?
Through a network of agreements with collecting societies around the world, PPL and PRS for Music control the right to broadcast sound recordings and musical works in the vast majority of music commercially-released in the UK. PPL has publicly available repertoire database and label search facilities available online.
Are there any circumstances where broadcasting recorded music does not require a PPL licence?
A PPL licence is not required if the copyright in all of the recorded music that you play is not owned by any of PPL’s members. PPL members own the copyright in the vast majority of commercially-released recorded music. To check whether the music you wish to use is owned by a PPL member, you […]