Episode 5: How Streaming and International Plays Affect Your Royalties

Glad to have you with us again! This time, we’re looking at how your royalties can be affected by where and how your music is played—especially online and abroad. International reach can be a big opportunity if your rights are set up correctly.

How Streaming and International Plays Affect Your Royalties

A song you performed on might be streamed in another country, played in a hotel lobby across the globe, or broadcast on a foreign radio station. Are you getting paid when that happens?

📻 Radio, TV, and Public Spaces
Royalties can be generated when your recordings are:
- Broadcast on radio and TV
- Played in shops, gyms, hotels, or restaurants

💻 Streaming Platforms
Certain streaming services, especially non-interactive or licensed digital radio, generate neighbouring rights royalties. Whether you’re paid depends on the platform’s agreements and national laws.

🌐 The Importance of Reciprocity Agreements
Not every country pays foreign performers. You may only receive royalties if the country where the music is used has a deal with your home country—and if you’re registered correctly.

✅ Why This Matters
Your music has a global reach. If you’re not properly registered, you could be missing out on income from listeners you don’t even know you have.

📅 Next post: “What a Neighbouring Rights Administrator Can Do for You”