PRS for Music and YouTube announce extension to multi-territory licensing deal
New extension to the current multi-territory licensing deal announced between PRS for Music and YouTube
PRS for Music and YouTube have today confirmed a new extension to their current multi-territory licensing deal and ongoing music partnership. The deal drives improved value across the PRS and MCPS membership which, in an evolving online market, ensures its members can continue to reach new and existing fans on YouTube, while YouTube’s users will continue to enjoy their favourite video content, when and how they want it.
The extended partnership means YouTube’s users and creators benefit from a vast catalogue of repertoire in the UK & Ireland, as well as direct members’ repertoire across 130 territories in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and provides a framework for further territorial expansion of the partnership.
The repertoire PRS for Music licenses to YouTube also includes mechanical rights for musical works represented by MCPS in the UK and Ireland and the repertoire of over 40 leading independent music publishers under the growing IMPEL umbrella.
This extended agreement and fruitful partnership is a significant step forward in strengthening the online music market. As an integral part of the renewed relationship, PRS for Music are pleased to support YouTube’s subscription product, YouTube Red, when it launches in the UK and Ireland.
On behalf of our members, we are pleased both to extend and expand our licensing relationship with YouTube. PRS for Music was the first copyright society to sign a licensing agreement with YouTube back in 2007 and both parties have since worked closely together to improve the value that creators derive from the platform. This latest agreement represents another important step in that direction, ensuring continued growth in royalties for our members from one of the world’s leading video platforms. PRS for Music fully recognises the breadth of opportunity on the horizon with YouTube and other open platforms and is committed to achieving fair remuneration for rightsholders and a level licensing playing field.
The recently announced, expanded ICE joint venture is poised to build on this enhanced PRS-YouTube relationship to deliver greater licensing efficiency to members and customers alike, over a wider territory and expanded repertoire base.
We’re committed to ensuring that writers, composers and publishers continue to get paid and that our users have the best experiences enjoying the video content that they love. This deal is an important step in delivering both of these priorities and speaks to a bright future ahead. 2016 will see yet more opportunities for creators, authors and composers as we launch new products and create new revenue streams.
About YouTube
Launched in May 2005, YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and share video. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube is a Google company.
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
