- The music is only for employees in my workplace, do I still need TheMusicLicence?
Even if you are only playing music in your office, warehouse, factories & other workplaces for employees, you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.
Music that's played outside of a domestic environment is classed as a public performance, even if the music can only be heard by employees in the staff areas in your business.
TheMusicLicence gives you permission to play music in your business or organisation for your employees.
- How can I play music in my practice?
There are different ways you can play music in your practice. Whether it’s playing background music for your via digital devices or tuning into popular radio stations. You can play music in the following ways:
- Radio & TV
- Streaming services – this may require a commercial streaming service. Before using platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube etc, please check that their terms and conditions allow for commercial use before playing music in your office and workplace
- CDs, MP3s & other recordings
- Live Music
- What does playing music ‘in public’ mean?
Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, permission is needed from the relevant copyright holders – those who create, record and publish music – in order to play or perform music in public.
Broadly speaking, this includes any presentation of music outside of a domestic setting. For example, it will include using music in the following ways as part of your business or organisation (for the benefit of customers and/or employees): playing recorded music via any device including the radio, TV broadcasts such as sports or other audio-visual content containing music; or putting on live performances of music.
There are a range of tariffs to cover the different uses of music across various venue types. However, the use of this music will require permission from the copyright holders and TheMusicLicence will give you that permission, covering the vast majority of commercially released music.
- Who are PPL PRS?
PPL PRS Ltd was created to provide customers with a streamlined music licensing service – TheMusicLicence – with a single point of contact to make it easier to legally play and perform music in public. PPL PRS Ltd is equally owned by PPL and PRS for Music.
PPL PRS Ltd started trading in 2018. Prior to 2018, businesses and organisations would have had to purchase two separate licences from PPL and PRS for Music instead.
- I have music on my telephone on hold system, do I need TheMusicLicence?
If you are using commercially released music on your telephone system in your office or workplace, then you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.
The music on your telephone system is being played for your customers and is classed as public performance. In some cases, PPL and PRS for Music have agreements in place with telephone on hold music suppliers who provide you with TheMusicLicence as part of the service they offer.
- Who is PPL and PRS for Music?
PPL and PRS for Music are both collective management organisations. They issue licences and collect royalties for certain uses of copyright-protected music, on behalf of their many hundreds of thousands of members. They then distribute those royalties to members.
PPL represents record companies and performers for the use of recorded music, while PRS for Music represents songwriters, composers and music publishers for the use of musical compositions and lyrics (for both recorded music and live performances).
PPL and PRS for Music set up PPL PRS Ltd to offer a single joint music licence, on behalf of them both, for playing and performing music in public (see ‘What does playing music ‘in public’ mean?’).
Health Care
Music Licence
Music in healthcare surroundings could enhance the atmosphere and create a welcoming and calming environment.
Whether you’re playing music in doctors, dentist or clinic reception areas, waiting rooms or staff areas, you’ll usually need a music licence from PPL PRS.
By obtaining TheMusicLicence you’ll be able to play PRS for Music and PPL music legally and enjoy its benefits whilst ensuring that its creators are fairly rewarded for their work.
Waiting rooms can be an anxious and stressful place for many people. As it’s the first thing your patients see when they enter your practice, it’s important to make it as welcoming and calming as possible, because not only can the waiting rooms be a stressful place for clients, but the practice itself can also cause some jitters, especially to new patients.
Surveys carried out by Dental Phobia reveal that up to 53% of the UK population are scared of visiting their dentist. Moreover, 17% of the population have such a bad fear of dentistry that they refuse to visit or get essential dental work done.
That’s more than one-in-six people potentially missing regular checkups and not getting necessary dental treatments when they need them the mos 1. A very simple way to make any space more welcoming is to play music.
Turn your practice into a paradise
To help your clients relax in what may be considered a stressful environment, you can utilise music; whether it’s a popular radio station or a playlist designed to sooth and relax your patients as having music playing as a form of distraction can be a highly effective stress buster.
Studies show that those who listen to music are likely to have lower cortisol levels, which in turn helps them to feel less stressed in the lead up to their appointment and have them feeling as relaxed as possible.1 So having gentle music on in the background that isn’t too loud can help promote a more relaxed environment in the waiting room, practice and reception.
Walking into a silent space before a potentially nervous wait can be unpleasant. So, using music to create a more welcoming atmosphere could be less intimidating by providing your patients with a stress-free appointment, leaving feeling more positive and making the next visit less daunting, which could contribute to improving patient retention levels.
How music could help your staff
It’s not just your patients that could benefit from background music in your practice, it can also support with employee wellbeing and engagement. Working hand-in-hand with the idea that music improves our mood, it can also leave your staff feeling less stressed throughout the day.
that productivity is improved when staff listen to music whilst working. One of music’s most celebrated, and in fact useful, qualities is that it can really boost our moods.2
Happy and upbeat music may have a positive effect on our mood which could make staff feel more positive and engaged whilst at work, especially in what can be considered a stressful environment where practitioners are working long hours and seeing many patients in a day.
Do I need a music licence for my healthcare premises?
If you use, play or perform music in your business or organisation, the chances are you need a music licence. TheMusicLicence from PPL and PRS for Music allows you to legally play music for employees or customers in your business through the radio, TV, and other digital devices.
By obtaining TheMusicLicence you’ll be able to play PRS for Music and PPL music legally and enjoy its benefits whilst ensuring that its creators are fairly rewarded for their work.
How is my music licence cost calculated?
The cost of TheMusicLicence varies depending on the specific characteristics of each health care organisation, so please contact us for a quote.
Before doing so, please ensure you’ve read our Quote Checklist below for each section that is applicable to you, and have the relevant information ready so we can provide an accurate quote for your health care music licence.
Waiting rooms
Starts from...Background music throughout premises
Starts from...*Cost examples correct as of February 2025
Quote Checklist
Background music
- The areas where music is audible, such as treatment areas, waiting rooms, office areas, cafes etc.
- The square meterage of each area where music is audible
- Number of chairs in waiting rooms
- Number of beds supplied with recorded music
Telephone music on hold
- Details of any telephone on hold music
Healthcare premises FAQ’s
Get a quote
If you’ve got all your information ready, please contact us or complete our Get TheMusicLicence form to arrange a quote.
Call us on 0116 290 0525
(8am-6pm, Monday-Friday)
References
Brochure Download
Complete this form to receive our health care brochure via email:
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Thinking about playing music in your health care organisation and want to know more?
What is TheMusicLicence?
What is TheMusicLicence
Do I need a music licence?
Do I need a music licence?
Where does my money go?
Where does my money go?
How do I get TheMusicLicence?
Call us on 0116 290 0525
(8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 3pm Friday)
Alternatively you can complete the online form and an adviser will be in touch.
