PPL Reveals 2025’s Total Payout Hits £277M, Boosted By Bumper Q4

LONDON — PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) revealed on Wednesday (Dec. 18) that it has paid a total of £277.7 million ($369 million) to performers and recording rights holders in 2025.

The collection society distributes royalties in the U.K. and internationally on behalf of tens of thousands of recording rights holders and performers, including artists such as Cat Burns, Lewis Capaldi, Charli xcx, Dua Lipa, and the estate of John Lennon.

The total comes following its final payment distribution of the year of £54.3 million ($72 million) in Q4 to 147,000 performers and recording rights holders, either as direct members of PPL or indirectly through other collective management organizations (CMOs). This is a 16% increase over 2024’s final quarter total of £45.3m ($33 million).

PPL works with a number of CMOs globally to collect royalties for its artists when their music is performed in public, or on television and radio. 2025 has seen a bumper year for British and Irish musicians with success for Olivia Dean, Yungblud, Lola Young and more and a renewed passion for the scene’s musical output internationally.

The firm says that improved data processes, particularly in Denmark, Germany and the U.S. have resulted in the rising figures, and highlighted significant lifts in payment from Belgium, as well as strong returns from Hungary, Romania and Spain. 

Peter Leathem OBE, chief executive at PPL said: “I am pleased to close the year with such a strong payment to performers and recording rights holders in the UK and beyond. My thanks to all the PPL team who work to deliver this positive outcome, as well as all of the CMOs around the world with whom we collaborate on collections, data and technology developments. All of which is making the movement of payments around the world ever more effective and efficient for our members.” 

Shamus Damani, consultant Director of Business Affairs, Defected Records Limited added: “This year I believe PPL has delivered its largest international Q4 payment to recording rights holders, helping to ensure that music continues to be a sustainable career choice for both performers and recording rights holders. It is clear from these figures that PPL continues to bring tremendous value to the music industry, and our collaboration with them plays a major part in the continued success of our business.”