Music to your ears…..
Music can bring in a whole new set of customers into pubs and clubs that may not have ordinarily been attracted. These customers, who if the offer is right can go on to become regulars!
While live music may grab most of the attention, it is important not to overlook your pre-recorded music offer as well. After all, it only needs a jukebox or back-ground music to change a pub’s atmosphere beyond recognition resulting in attracting extra customers in to your pub or club.
“Music and especially jukeboxes are both a very important part of the pub/club experience” suggests Comrie Automatics Marketing Director, Mark Greig. Modern digital jukeboxes offer tens of thousands of music tracks to your customers. This provides the potential to generate significant income for any pub or club. Jukebox hire can be a great way to generate extra revenue, especially on a no cost revenue share deal which we can supply our jukeboxes on. Also with no install costs or contracts.
Music Licences..
What are you paying for?
If you play music in your pub or club you may need a licence from PRS for Music and in most cases one from PPL too. In most instances of recorded music being played in public, a Music licence is required from both organisations. PPL collects and distributes licence fees for the use of recorded music on behalf of record companies and performers, while PRS for Music collects and distributes for the use of musical compositions and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers.
What Music licences cover
Music licence permit you to play copyright music for your staff and customers, however you choose to play music. In your pub/club this might include:
- Music on TV Channels
- Radios, CD and MP3 players, digital music systems
- Music on hold
- Live bands and DJ’s
- Karaoke machines
Music licence costs
The current rate for a jukebox PPL licence in a pub or club is £150.64 per annum.
With PRS for Music, pubs pay an annual charge for background music based on the devices they use and the size of the premises and featured music is usually charged per session, based on the capacity of the premises or room. Where the music user has applied for and obtained PRS for music’s licence before musical commence, the standard royalty rate will be charged and payable for the first year of the licence.
Be careful not to be stung by applying for a Music licence too late, because where the music user has not applied for and obtained PRS for Music’s licence before musical performances commence, the higher (standard plus 50%) royalty rate will be charged and payable for the first year of the licence!!
After the first year of the licence, in either case, the standard royalty rate will be charged and payable, at least, but it’s best to avoid any extra hidden costs if you can while starting up.
When speaking to one of our Jukebox customers ‘Lon Mallin’, from the Railway in Leamington Spa he told us how important it was to have the music his customers wanted available at the touch of a button. Some nights and even afternoons the Digital Jukebox is played continuous. “It’s not just about the profit the Jukebox brings in from the cashbox, I know the Jukebox helps with atmosphere in my pub so it generates income in the till” said Lon.
If you have any questions about jukebox hire or any other music licence issues please give us a ring at Comrie Automatics.