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Television broadcasting

UK Television broadcasters who wish to include commercial sound recordings and/or music videos in their programmes and broadcasts must obtain the permission of the relevant copyright owner prior to any copying or broadcasting taking place.

PPL (for sound recordings) and VPL (for music videos) provide a simple “one-stop” shop where a licence can be obtained covering the rights to copy, broadcast and stream sound recordings and music videos included within television programmes made and broadcast or streamed from the UK.

As a guide, such licences are usually subject to the following restrictions:

  • Usage in advertisements, signature tunes and station identity signals is excluded
  • Re-mixing or editing of the sound and/or vision is excluded, other than for broadcasting less than the full length of the sound recording or music video
  • Usage in circumstances where it may be reasonably considered detrimental to the performer or record company is excluded.

 

 

Developments in technology are facilitating the delivery of television programming from new platforms which can also be covered by licences from PPL and VPL. Separate licences are therefore available covering television channels delivered online and via mobile telephony.  

Where do licence fees go?

PPL collects revenues for the broadcast of recorded music and distributes to record company and performer members.

Secondary sales

Where a television production company has created a television programme and cleared the inclusion of commercial sound recordings or music videos within that programme through the television broadcaster's agreement with PPL or VPL, the production company will be required to re-clear the copying of those sound recordings or music videos if it wishes to sell that programme to a third party.

To facilitate this, PPL and VPL have created secondary sales agreements for UK television production companies.  

Click here to view the PPL Secondary Sales agreement. If you wish to apply for either a PPL or VPL secondary sales agreement, please contact us.