Churches Playing Music

Churches do not currently need a licence to play recorded music or perform music live during their regular services, weddings and funerals. You do however need licences from PRS for Music and PPL to cover the use of music in other church activities. 

Licence: Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) Church Licence

The PPL Church Licence permits you to play recorded music during church activities in a variety of ways, including:

• Background music for coffee mornings, parent and toddler groups, youth and outreach events, and activities such as fetes and bazaars.
• Discos and dances.
• Keep fit or dance classes.
• Many singing/dancing games on a games console.

A PRS for Music Church Licence is also required when music is played from a sound recording.

Exclusions:

• Churches who only use music during acts of divine worship (i.e. regular services) do not currently require a PPL Church Licence.

 Licence: PRS for Music Church Licence  

The PRS for Music Church Licence covers different rights to the PPL Church Licence and is required if you perform live music or play recorded music on your premises*.

With the PRS for Music Church Licence you can play music in a variety of ways, such as:

• Background music* for coffee mornings, parent and toddler groups, youth and outreach events, and activities such as fetes and bazaars.
• Music contained within films (Note: A Church Video Licence is also required)
• Concerts and recitals (limited to six concerts per year).
• Discos and dances.*
• Keep fit or dance classes.*
• Karaoke sessions.*
• Singing/dancing games on a games console.*

*If music is being played from a sound recording then you also require a PPL Church Licence.

Exclusions:

• Churches who only use music during acts of divine worship (i.e. regular services) do not currently require a PRS for Music Church Licence. This includes CDs/DVDs and live performances.
• CCLI is not able to license all churches. Generally, those excluded are Cathedrals, Abbeys and large Minsters.
• Any church premises which PRS for Music deems to be a concert venue may also be excluded. As a guide, if more than 6 concerts are held per year, that church will be deemed a concert venue. Please contact us if you have any doubt.

Church Halls:

If your hall is an integral part of the church building then the PRS for Music Church Licence will cover the entire building including the hall unless more than six concerts/recitals per year are held in the church premises.

If your hall is a separate building, whether or not it is within the curtilage of the church, then the hall can only be covered by CCLI if activities where music is played are run predominately by and for the church congregation. In all other cases PRS for Music will license the hall direct as a separate building.

Licence Fees:

Licence fees are based on your average aggregated attendance at your main service and you can view them here. 

Not sure which licences you need?

Check the Quick Guide Licence Table

Links to: Licence Fees / Apply Now / SongSelect / Create / FAQs / Terms of Agreement