Music Licences for Broadcast & Online
Broadcasters and online music service providers operating in Ireland are required to obtain music licences from both IMRO and MCPSI. IMRO licences cover the public performance of copyright music, granting permission to play music publicly on radio, TV, and digital platforms. MCPSI licences cover the reproduction and use of copyright music within audio and audiovisual content, such as recordings, broadcasts, and online streams. Together, these licences ensure that music creators and rights holders are fairly compensated for the use of their works across all media channels.
TV Licences
IMRO’s Broadcast Blanket Licence allows your channel to use millions of songs without needing to clear each copyright individually. This licence covers almost all types of music—from chart hits and classical pieces to specially commissioned and production music—across Ireland, the UK, the US, and beyond.
If your channel uses IMRO members’ music, creates original content with this music, and is Licenced by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, you’ll need two licences:
- Performing Licence: To legally broadcast music.
- Mechanical Licence: To reproduce or sync music into your original content.
Whether you create your own shows or buy them in, if your broadcasts (including programmes, ads, and trailers) use IMRO members’ music, a licence is required. See which licence is best for you:
TV Blanket Licence
Who is it for?
This Licence is for broadcasters operating from the Republic of Ireland, allowing them to:
- Broadcast musical works
- Include music in a cable program service
- Perform music in public
- Simulcast content
- Stream music online
What’s Covered?
- Making available a copy of the work
- Performing, showing or playing a copy of the work in public
- Broadcasting a copy of the work; Including a copy of the work in a Cable programme service
FAQs
- What do the licences allow you to do?The licence allows broadcasters operating from the Republic of Ireland to undertake the following acts in relation to musical works :
- Broadcasting
- Inclusion in a Cable programme service
- Performance in Public
- Simulcasting
- Streaming
- What rights are covered by the Licences?“Performing Right” means, in relation to a musical work, the rights set out in section 40(1)(a)-(d) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 namely the rights of:
- Making available a copy of the work
- Performing, showing or playing a copy of the work in public
- Broadcasting a copy of the work;
- Including a copy of the work in a Cable programme service
- How does the licence work?Royalties are calculated as percentage of Gross Advertising and Video On Demand/Online Player Revenue.
Broadcasters are required to submit on a monthly basis to IMRO information on all musical works broadcast on the service.
An MCPS TV Blanket Licence is required in conjunction with this licence.
MCPSI TV Blanket Licence
Who is it for?
- Broadcasters in the Republic of Ireland
- Broadcasters using a satellite uplink via the Republic of Ireland
- Major TV stations
- Smaller TV stations and community stations
What’s Covered?
Reproduction (copying/synchronisation) of musical works in general entertainment television programming, as well as the use of MCPS production music publishers’ sound recordings. It includes:- Mechanical synchronisation rights for commercial works
- Mechanical Sync and Recording Sync rights for Production Music and Production Music Sound Recordings
FAQs
- What do the licences allow you to do?They allow you reproduce (i.e. copy/synchronise) musical works within general entertainment television programming. They also cover the use of MCPS production music publishers’ sound recordings.
- What rights are covered by the licences?The rights covered are the mechanical synchronisation right for the commercial works and both the Mechanical Sync and Recording Sync rights of Production Music and Production Music Sound Recordings, providing access to approximately 10 million pieces of music.
An IMRO broadcast blanket agreement is needed in conjunction with this licence.
- What do the licences exclude?Adaptation, alteration, sampling or arrangement of members’ commercial music requires prior approval from the copyright owner. Reproduction of musical works as parodies, or the use of music in a deliberately derogatory way is also excluded under the TV Blanket Scheme.
Independent Production Company Licence
Who is it for?
For independent production companies who want to use commercial or production music in their productions.What’s Covered?
It covers all commercial and production music needed, offering a simple and cost-effective way to access the rights and formats required.FAQs
- Who is the IPC Blanket Licence for?The IPC Blanket Licence is for independent production companies who want to use commercial or production music in their productions.
- What does the IPC scheme allow you to do?The IPC Blanket Licence enables producers of TV programmes access to over 10 million pieces of our members’ music.
- What are the rights and formats covered under the agreement?We provide a simple and cost effective way for you to access all the commercial or production music that you need.
- Once admitted onto the scheme, do you have to apply for individual product clearances?No. We offer a one-stop-shop: rather than seek clearance from individual copyright owners, you can now simply apply once to us.
- How much do you pay?
Commercial music
From 1st January 2022, the Commission Channel Commercial Music Rates per 30 secs shall be:- RTE €93.00
- TG4 €46.00
- Virgin Media Ireland €62.00
- Other TV Stations €31.00
Per programme rates
If a Licencee’s total Production Music use fee (on a per programme basis) is calculated as being higher than that of the per programme rate then the per programme rate will automatically be charged. All TV programme rates also include +/- 30 day catch up for Video on Demand (VOD) Once signed up to the IPC scheme the process is straight forward, submit your reporting in the usual way indicating to your account manager what rights and options you require for each production. - What does the scheme exclude?
- If you want to distribute an Irish TV programme that already contains our members music then you will also need to apply for a Secondary Exploitation Licence (link).
- International use (for Irish programming made by Irish IPCs).
- Adaptation, alteration, sampling or arrangement of a members’ commercial music without prior approval.
- Reproductions of music as parodies.
- Use of music in a deliberately derogatory, obscene or demeaning way to its composer, author or the performing artist.
- Advertising and sponsorship.
- Use of commercial music in title/credit sequences.
- Single artist programs.
- Prior approval commercial works.
Secondary Exploitation/Programme Sales
Who is it for?
Distributors, production companies, and individual producers of Republic of Ireland-originating TV programmes who want to sell programmes containing MCPS members’ music to new clients.
What’s Covered?
The licence covers all linear or on-demand usage, including in-flight entertainment, VOD, and Mobile TV..
If you are re-versioning with production music, please visit our Production Music page and Production Music Rate Card
Radio
The IMRO and MCPS licences are required for services wishing to broadcast music or incorporate it into programmes, trailers, and station promos.
IMRO’s royalty rates are based on a fixed annual fee or a percentage of revenue, depending on the station’s music usage.
The IMRO Radio Licence covers broadcasts from Ireland, while the MCPS Radio Licence applies to copying music for broadcast and storing it on databases or servers for programming use.
Radio Licence Types
Commercial
Choose commercial if your station aims to make money through advertising, sponsorships, or other commercial activities..
Community/Temporary
Choose community/temporary if your station is non-profit, serves a specific community, and/or operates for a short period.
Online
LOEL+
LOEL+ (The Limited Online Exploitation Licence + )simplifies licensing for Irish – focused music services with a straightforward annual fee. It is a joint IMRO/MCPSI blanket licence which provides full access to all IMRO and MCPSI members’ repertoire.
You can avail of an LOEL+ licence if your Irish music service generates more than €7,000 but less than €200,000 in annual revenue.
LOEL
LOEL covers the mechanical (MCPSI) and performing (IMRO) right in music used by online music services whose gross revenue is less than €7,000 per year.
Under this scheme, applicants are required to report details of total levels of music usage, including the different types of use (eg: streaming, downloading) by the end of the clearance term.