PPL currently licenses the playing of recorded music at events such as discos and DJ nights on two SFE tariffs:
- PPLPP299 – this tariff launched on 1 January 2023 and covers SFE at nightclubs, pubs and bars, restaurants and cafés, and hotels;
- PPLPP001 – this tariff currently covers all other venue types.
PPL is now consulting on a revised SFE tariff for all of the venue types currently covered by tariff PPLPP001, excluding festivals, large individual recorded music events and dedicated live music venues.
This consultation does not apply to tariff PPLPP299, that is SFE events at nightclubs, pubs/bars, restaurants and cafés, and hotels.
The consultation paper
The consultation paper explains why PPL is conducting this review, and sets out PPL’s current thinking in relation to the following aspects of a potential new SFE tariff:
- Tariff Scope
- Tariff Structure
- Fees
The consultation paper can be downloaded here: SFE-consultation-document.pdf
How to respond
PPL welcomes your feedback on its current thinking about a revised SFE tariff that covers events at venues other than those covered under Tariff PPL 299 and festivals, large individual recorded music events and dedicated live music venues.
Please provide your comments on the following:
- PPL’s current thinking about the scope of a revised SFE tariff (see Section 3);
- PPL’s current thinking about the structure of a revised SFE tariff (see Section 4); and
- PPL’s current thinking about the fees under a revised SFE tariff (see Section 5).
Where possible, please include evidence to support your comments.
You can respond using the consultation response form but you do not have to use the form.
Please send your response to sfereview@ppluk.com.
Electronic responses are preferred, but if necessary, you can alternatively send your response by post to:
SFE Tariff Review
FAO Richard Stewart
Head of Tariff Development
PPL
1 Upper James Street
London W1F 9DE
If you wish to request a printed copy of the consultation paper, please call PPL’s Tariff Development team on 020 7534 1276.
If you wish any part of your response to be treated as confidential, then please mark that part accordingly. Otherwise, PPL may refer to all of your response as part of any information it subsequently publishes about the consultation feedback.
Deadline for responses
The consultation opened on Monday 28 April 2025. The deadline for responses is 14 July 2025.
Further information
PPL’s public performance licensing is administered by PPL PRS Ltd, a joint venture between PPL and PRS for Music (the collective management organisation for songwriters and music publishers).
PPL PRS Ltd has been set up to simplify the licensing process for public performance customers by providing a single licence covering both PPL tariffs and PRS for Music tariffs.
PPL and PRS for Music each continue to set their tariffs separately, and this is why PPL is undertaking this consultation.