ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC: How to Register (2026)

Quick Answer

A Performing Rights Organisation (PRO) collects performance royalties every time your music is played on radio, streaming platforms, TV, or in public venues. In the US, most independent artists should register with either ASCAP ($50 one-time fee) or BMI (free for songwriters). According to Chartlex campaign data, artists who register with a PRO and complete works registration within 30 days of their first commercial release collect an estimated 15-25% more total revenue across their first year than those who delay. Register as both songwriter and publisher to collect both halves of your performance royalties.

Performance royalties are one of the most consistently uncollected revenue streams in the independent artist world. A significant number of independent musicians are generating performance royalties every time their music is played on radio, in venues, on streaming platforms, and in public spaces — and never collecting a cent because they have not registered with a Performing Rights Organisation (PRO).

This guide explains exactly what a PRO does, how performance royalties differ from mechanical royalties, which of the three main US PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) is right for you, and how to register. If you are an independent artist releasing music commercially in any format, reading this and acting on it is one of the most straightforward ways to capture revenue you are already earning.

What a PRO Does (and Does Not Do)

A Performing Rights Organisation licenses the public performance of musical works and distributes the resulting royalties to songwriters and publishers. "Public performance" is a broad term that includes: radio broadcasts (AM/FM and satellite), streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.), live venues that use background music, TV and film (when music is performed or broadcast), and any public space that plays music — restaurants, retail stores, gyms, and more.

When a business plays music publicly, it pays a blanket licence fee to PROs. The PRO then uses data on what was actually performed — from radio logs, streaming data, and venue reporting — to distribute royalties to the rights holders of those songs.

What a PRO does not collect: mechanical royalties (collected when a song is reproduced — streams, downloads, physical sales). Mechanical royalties are collected separately through a mechanical rights organisation (like the MLC in the US, or through a publishing administrator like Songtrust or TuneCore Publishing).

This distinction matters because the total royalty picture for any commercially released song involves both performance royalties (via PRO) and mechanical royalties (via mechanical admin). An independent artist needs both, and neither collection organisation handles both automatically. For a full breakdown of every royalty type and how they flow to you, see our guide on how music royalties actually work. The mechanical side specifically -- including MLC registration -- is covered in our companion article on mechanical royalties explained for musicians.

The Split: Songwriter vs Publisher Registration

Every PRO divides royalties into two halves: the songwriter share (also called the writer share) and the publisher share. Historically, a publisher would claim the publisher share on behalf of a signed songwriter. As an independent artist who self-publishes your own work, you are both the songwriter and the publisher — which means you are entitled to claim both shares.

To collect both shares, you need to register twice: once as a songwriter (to collect the writer share) and once as a publisher (to collect the publisher share). Each PRO has a simple process for setting up a publishing entity, which is usually just your artist name or a business name (e.g., "Jane Smith Music" as a publishing company).

If you are signed to a publishing deal or use a publishing administrator, your admin handles the publisher share collection on your behalf. If you are fully independent and self-publishing, you must claim both shares yourself.

This is a critical step that many independent artists miss. If you only register as a songwriter and do not establish a publisher entity, the publisher share of your performance royalties sits uncollected or eventually escheats to the PRO.

ASCAP: The Member-Owned Option

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) is the largest US PRO by membership and operates as a membership organisation owned by its members. It does not have shareholders — all revenue collected (minus operating costs) is distributed to members.

Registration fee: $50 one-time fee to join as a songwriter. A separate $50 fee to register a publishing entity.

Royalty calculation: ASCAP uses a complex calculation that weights different performance types differently. Broadcast radio and TV traditionally pay at higher rates than streaming, though streaming is increasingly significant. ASCAP distributes royalties quarterly.

Member benefits: Access to ASCAP's member portal for registering works, tracking royalties, and accessing exclusive member discounts on health insurance, gear, and professional development.

International collection: ASCAP has reciprocal agreements with PROs in over 100 countries, meaning international performances of your music are collected through these agreements and forwarded to you.

Best for: Songwriters who prefer a member-owned organisation and value the community aspect. ASCAP has strong support for independent artists and offers robust educational resources.

BMI: The Free-to-Join Option

BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) is a for-profit organisation that operates very similarly to ASCAP but with one significant difference: there is no fee to join as a songwriter. Publisher registration is a one-time fee of approximately $150.

Registration fee: Free for songwriters. ~$150 one-time fee for publisher registration.

Royalty calculation: BMI's calculation methodology differs slightly from ASCAP's — particularly in how it weights live performance royalties and certain broadcast types. In practice, most songwriters will not notice a significant difference in payout rates between ASCAP and BMI over a career.

International collection: Comparable to ASCAP — reciprocal agreements with major international PROs cover most territories.

Best for: Artists who want to join a PRO without any upfront cost, and those who appreciate BMI's historically strong ties to country, gospel, and R&B music communities (though BMI covers all genres).

SESAC: The Invitation-Only Option

SESAC is the third major US PRO and operates differently from ASCAP and BMI — membership is by invitation only. SESAC is selective about who it admits, which means most independent artists at the early stages of their career cannot join directly.

SESAC's selectivity makes it more relevant once an artist has demonstrated commercial traction. The trade-off is that SESAC members often report faster royalty processing and more personalised service due to the smaller membership base.

Registration: Invitation required. Contact SESAC directly if you believe your catalogue qualifies.

Best for: Established independent artists with significant commercial performance history who receive an invitation.

GMR: The Fourth Option Worth Knowing

Global Music Rights (GMR) is a newer and even more selective PRO that represents a small number of high-profile songwriters and estates. For most independent artists, GMR is not an accessible option — it operates at a level of commercial significance beyond where most independent artists start. It is worth knowing it exists, but ASCAP or BMI is the practical choice for nearly everyone reading this.

How to Register Your Songs (Works Registration)

Joining a PRO does not automatically register your songs — you need to register each work separately. This is called works registration or song registration, and it must be done for every song in your catalogue that you want to collect royalties for.

Works registration typically requires: song title, ISRC code (if commercially released), writer splits (your percentage of the song as songwriter), publisher name and split, release date, and where the song is commercially available.

Registering your back catalogue immediately after joining is important because some PROs allow retroactive collection for unregistered works only within a limited window. The sooner you register every song, the less royalty revenue you leave uncollected.

International Collection: How Your PRO Collects Globally

When your music is performed or streamed outside the United States, your US PRO does not collect directly — instead, it relies on reciprocal agreements with local PROs in each territory. For example, when your song is played on UK radio, PRS for Music (the UK PRO) collects the royalty and forwards it to ASCAP or BMI, which then distributes it to you.

This system works reasonably well for major markets (UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, Canada) where the local PRO has strong collection infrastructure. For smaller or developing markets, collection can be inconsistent or delayed.

To maximise international performance royalty collection, make sure your ISRC codes are correctly registered on every recording and that your works registration is complete and accurate. Errors in metadata are the primary cause of uncollected international royalties.

Understanding the full picture of your publishing and royalties is part of what it means to run your music career like a business. If you want to see what your current streams are actually worth across all revenue sources, the multi-stream revenue calculator gives you a clear number. And if you want to understand how your streaming profile is performing overall, a free Spotify audit from Chartlex puts your algorithmic data in context.

ASCAP vs BMI: The Practical Decision

For most independent artists, the choice comes down to ASCAP or BMI. Here is the honest comparison:

If you have zero budget and want to join today with no fees: BMI. The songwriter registration is free, and publisher registration is approximately $150.

If you have $100 for the songwriter + publisher ASCAP fee and want a member-owned organisation with slightly stronger community resources: ASCAP.

Both organisations collect from the same pools of money and have comparable royalty rates. The practical difference in royalty income between ASCAP and BMI members across a career is negligible. Do not spend weeks agonising over this decision — pick one, register, and start collecting.

If you need global collection beyond what your PRO handles domestically, our comparison of publishing administration services covers Songtrust, TuneCore Publishing, and CD Baby Pro side by side. The most important thing is not which PRO you choose but that you register your works correctly and immediately. Every day you have music out without PRO registration is a day of performance royalties you may never recover.

Ready to take your music career further? Get your free AI audit and see exactly where you stand — with personalized next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a PRO if you only release music on streaming platforms?

Yes. Streaming platforms generate both performance royalties (which go to your PRO) and mechanical royalties (which go to your mechanical admin). Without PRO registration, you will not receive the performance royalty portion of your streaming income — which can be significant over time.

Can you be a member of both ASCAP and BMI?

No. You must choose one PRO and register all your works exclusively with that organisation. You cannot split your catalogue between PROs.

How long does it take for PRO royalties to arrive after registering?

PRO royalties typically run three to nine months behind the actual performances. ASCAP and BMI both distribute quarterly, so you will generally see your first payment within one to two quarters of registering — but it will reflect performances from several months prior. Retroactive periods vary by PRO.

What is a publishing administrator and do I need one alongside a PRO?

A publishing administrator (like Songtrust, DistroKid Publishing, or TuneCore Publishing) collects mechanical royalties — distinct from performance royalties. If you self-publish and want to collect both mechanical and performance royalties, you need both a PRO (for performance) and a mechanical admin (for mechanicals). They serve different functions and do not overlap.

What happens to unregistered songs you have already released?

In most cases, some retroactive collection is possible — but the window varies by PRO and territory. Register your back catalogue immediately after joining your PRO. For very old releases, contact your PRO directly to understand what is recoverable.

Can you switch from BMI to ASCAP (or vice versa) after joining?

Yes, but it is not instant. Both ASCAP and BMI require you to formally resign from one before joining the other, and the transition period can take several months. You will also need to re-register all of your works with the new PRO. Unless you have a strong, specific reason to switch — such as a publishing deal that requires a particular PRO affiliation — staying with your original choice is almost always the simpler path.

Do PROs collect royalties from YouTube and social media platforms?

Yes. Both ASCAP and BMI have licensing agreements with YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other major platforms. When your music is used in videos on these platforms, performance royalties are generated and collected by your PRO. The per-play rates on social media tend to be lower than radio or traditional streaming, but the volume can add up — particularly if a track goes viral in user-generated content.

Should you register with a PRO before or after releasing your first song?

Before. Ideally, your PRO registration and works registration should be complete before your first commercial release goes live. Performance royalties start accruing from the moment your song is played publicly, and if your works are not registered, those early royalties may never reach you. The registration process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the PRO, so starting early avoids any gap in collection.

For broader guidance on the business infrastructure every independent artist needs, see our guide on how to set up your music business. With your PRO registration complete, the next step is growing the performances that generate royalties. Browse Chartlex campaign plans to drive more streams and increase the royalty base your PRO collects on.