BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) are performance rights organizations that collect and distribute performance royalties to songwriters, composers, and music publishers when their music is publicly performed, ensuring creators are compensated for the use of their work in various media.

Performance royalties are tracked through Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These organizations monitor public performances of music via digital tracking, radio airplay, and live event reporting. They then collect and distribute royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers based on the usage data they gather.

Performance music royalties include public performance royalties, paid when music is played publicly (e.g., radio, TV, live venues); mechanical royalties, earned from physical or digital sales; synchronization royalties, for music used in visual media; and print music royalties, from sheet music sales. Each type compensates creators for different uses of their work.

Streaming services handle performance music royalties by tracking song plays and distributing payments to rights holders, including artists, songwriters, and publishers. They use complex algorithms and data analytics to ensure accurate reporting. Payments are typically made through performance rights organizations (PROs) that collect and distribute royalties on behalf of the creators.

Radio stations pay performance music royalties through licensing agreements with performance rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These PROs collect fees from the stations and distribute the royalties to songwriters, composers, and publishers based on the frequency and reach of the music played.

Venues pay performance music royalties by obtaining licenses from Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. These licenses grant permission to play copyrighted music, and the fees collected are distributed to songwriters, composers, and publishers based on the frequency and popularity of their works.