In this episode of Not Just a Number, SRLV Director Danny Fletcher sits down with Tony Barton, Director of Writer Relations at PRS for Music, the UK’s leading collection management organisation (CMO) for music creators. If you're a songwriter, composer, publisher, or emerging artist, this is your essential guide to getting paid for your music and protecting your rights.
Tony breaks down how PRS for Music operates, what royalties you might be missing out on, and why registering your music is the most important step in securing your income. This episode covers everything from performance royalties and sync licensing, to streaming payouts, metadata management, and how to claim unmatched, unclaimed and unallocated income. Plus, we dive deep into royalty splits, copyright disputes, and how to build your own “power team” (manager, lawyer and accountant) as your career grows.
We also discuss the rise of catalogue valuations, asset-based lending, and why today’s creators need to think like entrepreneurs. Whether you’re playing open mics, topping Spotify playlists, or working with major publishers, this episode is packed with practical tips, insider advice, and stories from one of the most connected royalty experts in the industry.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What PRS for Music does (and why it’s essential for creators)
- When and how to register your songs to receive your royalties
- Why split agreements and percentages matter (and how to avoid disputes)
- The difference between PRS and PPL - and how to maximise both income streams
- How streaming royalties work (and why songwriters earn less than performers)
- What unmatched, unclaimed and unallocated income or royalties are and how to claim them
- How to value your music catalogue and structure a smart sale
- Building your “power team” as a grassroots or emerging artist
- How international licensing, metadata and AI are shaping the future of music royalties
Key Moments:
0:00 – Intro & PRS for Music overview
1:39 – What PRS for Music does
2:44 – Who needs a PRS licence
4:42 – Advice for new songwriters
8:08 – How to register your songs
8:35 – Agreeing songwriting splits
15:25 – Publishing splits & royalty rates
18:56 – Why you need legal advice
21:41 – Types of music royalties
25:15 – Building your music “power team”
29:16 – PRS as a non-profit
36:35 – The importance of metadata
37:48 – Unmatched, unclaimed and unallocated royalties explained
47:40 – Song codes & Project Nexus
52:13 – The rise of streaming
1:00:32 – Streaming royalty split
1:06:38 – Monthly streaming payouts
1:11:40 – Older songs earning again
1:13:48 – Selling your music catalogue
1:19:34 – Evergreen hits & syncs
1:22:02 – Björn from ABBA story
1:25:48 – Final tips for songwriters
Prefer to watch? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.
Not Just a Number is a podcast for entrepreneurs, creatives and industry pioneers who want to grow businesses and protect what matters most to them and to their families.
Produced by SRLV - one of London’s leading boutique advisory firms - the show goes far beyond tax and accounting to bring a unique perspective on business, innovative thinking and leadership from the people shaping global industries, including music, entertainment, technology, consumer brands, and private wealth.
Each episode’s candid conversation focuses on personal stories, business strategies, top tips and trends - from scaling up companies and international relocations to creative rights and real-world business growth.
Whether they are clients or professional contacts, all our guests are friends of our business and so much more than “just a number”. People and relationships always come first at SRLV.
This Podcast is published for the information of clients and contacts. By accessing this Podcast, you acknowledge that SRLV LLP makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured and contained within this Podcast. The information, opinions and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance you place on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast provides only an overview of the regulations in force at the date of publication, and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed legislation or seeking professional advice. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Therefore, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained within this Podcast can be accepted by the authors, hosts, guests or SRLV LLP. The views that are expressed in the podcast are that of individuals and not SRLV LLP's own. SRLV LLP makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. SRLV LLP expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, reliance on or inability to use, this Podcast or the information presented within.
