BMG is revolutionizing the music industry with a new initiative that will get songwriters paid faster. In the past, songwriters usually had to wait 3-6 months to receive mechanical royalties after their songs were included on albums. But now, BMG will pay those royalties within the same calendar quarter.
This is possible because of BMG’s investment in a cutting-edge digital royalty tracking system. Unlike other music companies, BMG’s publishing and recordings departments share one centralized database. So when a BMG artist records a song, all the relevant publishing information is right there.
Naturally, BMG songwriters benefit the most from this change. But it’s a big help for the many independent songwriters who work with BMG too, especially those who partner with the label both as songwriters and recording artists. Some artists impacted include Bush, George Harrison, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Lopez, LP, Mammoth WVH, Spiritbox, and Terrace Martin.
BMG COO Sebastian Hentzschel explained that their integrated tech platform allows for quicker royalty payouts. If two songwriters contribute to a BMG record, the BMG writer gets paid first. BMG is committed to harnessing modern tools to get money to creators sooner.
This faster payment update follows BMG’s earlier decision to fully pay statutory mechanical royalties, unlike some labels that deduct portions. BMG’s royalty services team, led by Eric Scott in Nashville, works hard to deliver the best service through technology and expertise. Faster payments are just one example of how BMG shows real support for the music community. Overall, clients have been very grateful for these artist-first initiatives.
