Why has my music licence gone up this year?
Some of the rise is just annual re-indexing. A big jump with nothing changed is worth a closer look.
Most years, TheMusicLicence rises a little because PPL and PRS re-index their tariffs, usually broadly in line with inflation. A small, single-digit percentage increase is normal and expected. A much bigger jump, with no change to your premises or how you use music, is worth questioning.
Normal: annual re-indexing#
PPL and PRS adjust their rates each year on staggered dates (the PRS shops tariff each January, for example). This is a routine uplift, not a re-assessment of your account.
Worth questioning: a bigger jump#
- A first-year higher rate (standard + 50%) that should have dropped off after year one but hasn’t.
- A change in how your usage or floor area is recorded: a reclassification you didn’t ask for.
- A move onto a different (more expensive) tariff for your business type.
- Sites, seats or staff numbers added or overstated in error.
How to check#
Compare this year’s invoice with last year’s and note exactly what changed. Work out the standard published figure for your setup (our cost calculator does this for shops), and query anything that doesn’t reconcile. Or run it through the free Bill Health Check, if a rise looks bigger than a normal re-index, that’s exactly the kind of thing we check.
This is also why an annual re-check is worth having: rates and businesses both change, and a yearly once-over keeps you on the correct, lowest compliant tariff. Send us this year’s invoice for a look. 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.
- The 50% higher royalty rate explained →
- How TheMusicLicence is calculated →
- How to reduce your music licence cost →
Common questions
- Why has my music licence gone up this year?
- Most years it rises a little because PPL and PRS re-index their tariffs, usually broadly in line with inflation. A small, single-digit percentage increase is normal and expected. A much bigger jump, with no change to your premises or how you use music, is worth questioning.
- Is an annual music licence price increase normal?
- Yes. PPL and PRS adjust their rates each year on staggered dates, for example the PRS shops tariff each January, and this is usually broadly in line with inflation. This is a routine uplift, not a re-assessment of your account, so a small increase on its own isn't a red flag.
- What kind of increase should I question on my music licence?
- A first-year higher rate that should have dropped off after year one but hasn't, a change in how your usage or floor area is recorded, a move onto a different, more expensive tariff for your business type, or sites, seats or staff numbers added or overstated in error.
- How do I check whether a rise in my music licence bill is fair?
- Compare this year's invoice with last year's and note exactly what changed, work out the standard published figure for your setup, and query anything that doesn't reconcile. A yearly once-over is worth having since rates and businesses both change.
Want it checked or set up properly?
- Already paying? Send your latest invoice for a free check and a plain-English answer within five working days.
- Four or more sites? A free estate check, site by site, with a clear summary of anything that's off.
- No licence yet? We tell you exactly what to declare and make the application for you.
Get told when the rates change
PPL and PRS re-index their tariffs every year. Leave your email and we'll let you know when the main rates change (January and July), with a reminder to check your invoice. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe any time.
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.