Do I need a music licence to play the radio, TV or Spotify at work?
The source of the music doesn’t change the rule: playing it in public does. Here’s the position for radio, TV and streaming.
On this page
In almost all cases, yes. If you play the radio, a TV with music, or a streaming service like Spotify where customers or staff can hear it, that counts as a ‘public performance’ and needs TheMusicLicence. The source doesn’t change the rule: playing music in a business is what triggers it.
Playing the radio#
Playing the radio in a shop, salon, workshop or office is a public performance of the music it broadcasts, so it generally needs TheMusicLicence. That’s separate from the TV Licence, which covers watching broadcasts, not the public performance of the music.
A TV in a customer or staff area#
A TV showing programmes with music needs the music licence for the music element. If you’re also watching live TV or BBC iPlayer, you need a TV Licence too: they’re two different things covering two different rights.
Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming#
Personal Spotify and Apple Music subscriptions are licensed for personal use only: their terms don’t permit business use. To stream to customers or staff legally you need a proper commercial music source plus TheMusicLicence. Some royalty-free B2B services clear the rights for you so you don’t need PPL PRS for that music, but only if you’re happy not to play the commercial hits.
The exceptions#
You generally don’t need TheMusicLicence only if you play genuinely royalty-free or specifically-licensed music, or no audible music at all. For everything else (chart music, the radio, most playlists) you do.
Not sure which applies to you, or think you’re being charged for the wrong kind of use? Send us your invoice for a check, or book a Sanity Call. One site? The free Invoice Check gives you a written verdict in five working days. Four or more sites? The estate review is free and we only charge if we recover money. See pricing.
Only have a radio or TV and being chased? The free "Should I be paying this?" checker covers the common cases in a minute.
- Do I need a music licence for my business? →
- Royalty-free vs licensed music →
- What is PPL PRS? TheMusicLicence explained →
Common questions
- Do you need a licence to play the radio at work?
- In almost all cases, yes. Playing the radio in a shop, salon, workshop or office is a public performance of the music it broadcasts, so it generally needs TheMusicLicence. That's separate from the TV Licence, which covers watching broadcasts, not the public performance of the music.
- Do I need a PPL licence to play Spotify?
- Yes, for business use. Personal Spotify and Apple Music subscriptions are licensed for personal use only, so their terms don't permit business use. To stream to customers or staff legally you need a proper commercial music source plus TheMusicLicence.
- Can I play the radio in my business without a music licence?
- Generally no. If you play the radio, a TV with music, or a streaming service like Spotify where customers or staff can hear it, that counts as a public performance and needs TheMusicLicence. The source doesn't change the rule, playing music in a business is what triggers it.
- Do you need a PRS licence for Spotify played in a shop or office?
- Yes, in most cases. Some royalty-free B2B services clear the rights for you so you don't need PPL PRS for that specific music, but only if you're happy not to play the commercial hits. For a standard Spotify playlist of chart music, TheMusicLicence is needed.
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Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and MLC is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with PPL PRS Ltd, PRS for Music or PPL.