SAMRO revamps distribution to boost royalty pay-outs

The new system, SAMRO said, ensures that royalties are processed and paid out more frequently and accurately, providing a sustainable and consistent income stream for music creators.

Previously, SAMRO distributed royalties once a year for each category, including television, radio, live performances, film, and foreign royalties, while Mobile and Internet Transmission (MIT) royalties were already paid quarterly. Additionally, supplementary distributions, such as post-distribution adjustments, were made when necessary. While this model served its purpose, SAMRO recognised the need for a more dynamic system that would enhance cash flow for rights holders and support a thriving music ecosystem.

“Supplementary distributions, such as post-distribution adjustments, were also made,” SAMRO said in an internal communication to its members. “While this approach served its purpose, we recognised that it was time for a change to encourage a sustainable ecosystem through frequent royalty distributions.”

In 2023, SAMRO successfully expanded its distribution cycles, increasing the number of pay-outs from 15 in 2022 to 21 in 2023. Building on this momentum, the organisation has further raised the frequency of distributions to 29 in 2024. The shift, SAMRO said, reflects a firm commitment to efficiency, financial sustainability, and ensuring that music creators receive their earnings more promptly.

“This shift away from the previous model of annual distributions across categories such as television, radio, live music, cinema and foreign royalties reflects SAMRO’s commitment to providing members with more timely, efficient, and consistent earnings.”

The developments mark a new era for SAMRO, aligning its distribution model with global best practices and demonstrating a proactive approach to supporting the South African music industry.

Latest distribution updates

In December 2024, SAMRO completed the TV distribution for the below attached channels. The FY2025 TV SEQ 1 distribution covered three months of usage data (July, August, and September 2023) for 35 TV channels attached below. Similarly, the Radio and General distributions, which took place on 02 December 2024, were processed using six months’ worth of data. SAMRO said the remaining data for these categories will be processed later.