Major Changes to PPL Jukebox Licensing Took Effect from 1 July 2025

The public performance licensing landscape for jukeboxes has undergone a major shake-up, with PPL introducing a revised structure that came into force from 1 July 2025.

The changes affect how music licensing fees are collected for the use of jukeboxes in venues such as pubs, bars, and social clubs, with significant implications for jukebox operators, manufacturers, and site owners.

Background

Since 2018, PPL’s public performance licensing has been handled by PPL PRS Ltd, a joint venture with PRS for Music. While PRS fees have always been collected directly from venues, PPL fees could previously be collected either through jukebox operators or directly from venues.

Under the current system, many jukebox operators pay the PPL licence fee in advance to PPL PRS and recover the cost from venues during regular collections. Alternatively, venues that own their jukeboxes—or where operators opted out—have been licensed directly by PPL PRS.

What’s Changed from July

From 1 July 2025, jukebox operators will no longer be able to pay PPL public performance fees on behalf of their sites. Instead, jukebox licensing will fall into one of four new categories, depending on the equipment used:

1. Sites Already Licensed Directly by PPL PRS

These sites will remain unaffected and continue under their existing direct arrangements.

2. NSM Jukebox Sites

PPL fees will be charged in monthly instalments via the jukebox operator, who can then pass on the cost to the venue. Fees are charged daily, so operators must keep precise records of jukebox locations and movements.

Operators who do not wish to handle this responsibility must inform NSM in advance. In such cases, venues will be licensed directly by PPL PRS.

3. Soundnet/TouchTunes Jukebox Sites

These will follow a similar model, with PPL fees charged quarterly via the operator. As with NSM, accurate tracking of jukebox installations and removals will be essential.

Operators not wishing to manage this process must notify Soundnet/TouchTunes ahead of time, after which affected venues will be directly licensed by PPL PRS.

4. Jaybox Jukebox Sites

All venues operating Jaybox jukeboxes will be licensed directly by PPL PRS as part of the annual licence review process, with no operator mediation involved.

Final Accounts for Operators

Jukebox operators must submit a final return for the period up to 30 June 2025. PPL PRS will issue credits or additional invoices for any over- or under-payments. Once settled, operator accounts will be formally closed for public performance licensing.

Further details and support will be available directly from PPL PRS and the respective jukebox manufacturers.

Return to the previous page

17 July 2025

See all news...