MU Makes Record Royalties Payment to Members in First Quarter of 2021

Session musicians continue to benefit from the use of background commercial recordings in tv programmes, and our total distribution of royalties for 2021 so far have exceeded £500k.

Published: 17 March 2021 | 5:49 PM

Photograph of a yellow television box against a turquoise coloured wall. — The MU actively collects payment for use of session musicians on commercial audio recordings used in sync for advertising, film, and television. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Following the first distribution of BBC ‘dubbing’ money today (royalties for use of background commercial audio in BBC programmes) totalling some £290k, this brings the total distribution so far in 2021 to just over £500k.

Geoff Ellerby, National Organiser for Recording & Broadcasting commented:

“Despite the pandemic, session musicians continue to benefit from use of background commercial recordings in tv programmes. The team have worked extremely hard in prioritising the mass of data work required to expedite these payments to help members in these worrying times.”

The MU actively collects payment for use of session musicians on commercial audio recordings used in sync for advertising, film, and television.

Should members hear a recording they have performed on in a film or advertisement, and have not had a royalty payment, please keep us informed at licensing@theMU.org

See all news

Continue reading

Young child wearing a mask is sat at a piano, turning round to face the camera he raises one thumb in a positive gesture.

We’ve Updated Our Advice for Teaching During Coronavirus

Following updated advice and further clarification from the devolved governments of the UK, we have updated our advice for musicians who teach in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

Two UK passports back to back, one is the old style EU red passport, the other is the newer blue passport.

Brexit Guidance Video Released Following Panel Event

We’ve released a recording of our panel event, “What’s the deal?” which focused on process, lobbying, sales/merchandise rules and more for musicians working in the EU.

White painted chairs set out with socially distanced amount of space between them, outdoors.

Government Confirms “Incidental” Live Music Permitted in England from Stage Two

The Government has now confirmed a number of changes and extra details for musicians in its previously published Spring Roadmap for England – and we have updated our guidance accordingly.

Photograph of an orchestra set out in a socially distanced way, we can see all the musicians sat out across the stage in distanced positions, whilst a conductor gestures from the front.

Life in Lockdown for UK Orchestras

In this longer-read feature, find out more about how UK orchestras have been faring through the pandemic – including taking on remote recording projects, working in creative new directions, and putting health and safety first in the move back to work.

Photograph of a young girl wearing ear protectors at a concert. The background is blurred but we can see multiple people and string lights.

5 Things to Help Include More Autistic People at Gigs

It’s World Autism Day on 2 April! To celebrate we asked Autism consultant and Heart N Soul creative associate Robyn Rocket to write a blog for us with a few pointers on how we can consider inclusion for Autistic musicians and listeners when the world opens again post-Covid.

All news and features

Find your Local MU Office Contact

Enter your postcode below to find your local Musicians' Union office contact information.

Postcode

If you are an existing member, login to contact your Regional office.

Have your voice