“How much does music licensing cost?”
Simple question. The answer requires context.
PRO fees aren’t a fixed price like a phone subscription. They’re a system of royalties that adapts to the characteristics of each individual space. Two cafes of the same size can pay different amounts — depending on how they use music.
That’s not unfair. That’s the logic of the system.
What PROs take into account
Several factors determine your annual fee:
Type of business — Cafe, restaurant, hotel, retail store, gym — each category has its own rate class. Music serves different functions in different spaces. Fees reflect that.
Square footage — The area where music can be heard. Not just the main room, but all spaces accessible to guests where music plays — including the terrace, wellness area, lobby.
Playback method — Radio, TV, audio system (CD, USB, streaming). Different playback methods carry different rates.
Number of zones — A hotel with one common area and a hotel with a lobby, restaurant, bar, and spa aren’t the same situation.
Seasonal operation — Spaces that operate only part of the year may qualify for proportional discounts.
Approximate figures for reference
These numbers are approximate and serve as a general guide. The actual amount depends on the specifics of your space.
Small cafe (up to 800 sq ft)
Annual
Streaming, CD, USB annual
Medium cafe (800-1,600 sq ft)
Annual
Annual
Medium-sized restaurant (1,000-2,000 sq ft)
Annual
Addition to base rate
Accommodation properties
| Property type | Capacity | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Boutique hotel | 15-30 rooms | $400-700 |
| Larger hotel | 50+ rooms, multiple zones | $700-1,800+ |
Includes common areas and per-room addition for TV/radio. Actual amount depends on property complexity.
Why you can’t copy someone else’s experience
On forums and in conversations, you often hear: “I pay X dollars a year.”
The problem is that tells you nothing about your situation.
A business owner who says they pay $150 annually might have a small cafe with just radio. Your restaurant with an audio system and terrace isn’t the same category.
The result is usually an unpleasant surprise — either during registration or during an inspection.
What happens if the data is inaccurate
You report square footage “approximately” because you don’t know exactly. You report “cafe” even though you’re actually a restaurant with a bar. You don’t report the terrace because “music rarely plays there.”
The inspector arrives. Measures. Documents. Identifies discrepancies.
Consequences can include:
- Retroactive billing for the difference over the past period
- Penalty surcharges
- The need for a corrective filing
Accurate data isn’t just a matter of honesty. It’s a matter of predictability — yours, not the system’s.
PRO fees and music source—two different things
This is a common point of confusion.
PRO fees cover the right to publicly perform music. That right allows you to play music in a public space.
But the PRO doesn’t give you music. You need a source — radio, professional service, legal streaming — from which that music comes.
How to get an accurate calculation
The most reliable way:
- Measure the actual square footage of all spaces where music plays
- Define your type of business
- Determine your playback method (radio, audio system, TV)
- Report accurate data to your PRO
- Get an official rate
Most PROs have calculators on their official websites. But the final amount is confirmed only by the contract — because calculators work with assumptions, and contracts work with your actual data.
Seasonal businesses and discounts
If your space doesn’t operate year-round, you may qualify for a discount:
Discount on annual rate
Discount on annual rate
Discount on annual rate
Discounts are applied when signing the contract. If the situation changes and you start operating longer, you need to update your registration.
Perspective: What music actually costs
For a small cafe, the annual PRO cost runs around $150-250.
Monthly
One-time
Daily
For that price, the cafe has legal certainty that music — which plays eight, ten, twelve hours a day — isn’t a source of risk.
The price isn’t the question. The question is whether you’ll pay that price proactively or reactively — with or without penalties.
What professional operators do differently
Business owners who’ve been in the game for a long time usually don’t think of PRO fees as a burden.
They treat it as an operational cost — like rent, electricity, inventory. Something you pay, factor in, forget.
What they don’t do:
- Improvise with the music source
- Report “approximately”
- Wait for an inspection to explain the system
Result: music is a resolved matter, not an ongoing concern.
Frequently asked questions
For a small cafe up to 800 sq ft, the annual fee is around $60-80 for radio or $150-200 for an audio system (streaming, CD, USB). The exact amount depends on the specifics of your space.
Yes. Spaces operating up to 1 month annually receive a 20% discount, up to 3 months a 40% discount, and up to 6 months a 60% discount on the annual rate.
PRO fees depend on multiple factors: square footage, type of playback, number of zones, and seasonal operation. Two “similar” spaces can have different combinations of these factors.
PRO fees cover the right to public performance. But you also need a legal music source — a professional streaming service intended for commercial use, radio, or another legal source. You need both.
If an inspector determines that music plays on an unreported terrace, retroactive billing follows, possible penalties, and the need for a corrective filing. It’s always cheaper to report accurately from the start.
Resources
- Check your local PRO’s official website for current rates
- PRO rate calculators: available on official portals
- Copyright law: consult your jurisdiction’s legal resources