On-hold music and licensing in the UK
Music played to callers on hold is music played to the public. With music from our catalogue you receive a usage right for your greeting. For anything about TheMusicLicence, PPL PRS is the organisation to ask in the UK.
Three situations
Music from our catalogue
Once you have paid for and downloaded the greeting, you may use it, music included, on your firm’s phone lines and in its business communications for as long as you like. Our terms set out the detail.
A track you bought or stream
Buying a song or a streaming subscription does not let you play it to callers. Check with the rights holders before you put commercial music on your line.
Your own audio
Bring your own jingle and the rights question is yours: our terms ask you to confirm that you hold them before you upload.
What PPL PRS says
PPL PRS Ltd issues TheMusicLicence on behalf of PPL and PRS for Music. On its page about music on hold it states that most commercial music is subject to copyright, so you will typically need TheMusicLicence to play it. It also describes the music on a telephone system as being played for your customers and classed as public performance.
PPL PRS further notes that it has agreements with some telephone on-hold music suppliers who provide TheMusicLicence as part of their service. Whether a licence applies to your business, and at what cost, depends on your circumstances. PPL PRS answers that question directly at pplprs.co.uk. Tell them the music comes from our catalogue; our details are in the imprint.
Choosing hold music, from the studio side
Instrumental only
Sung lyrics fight with the spoken message. Pick a track without vocals.
A relaxed tempo
Fast music makes the wait feel longer. Lounge, piano and soft guitar work well down a phone line.
Check it on the phone
Hold music loses its low end on the line. Listen on a handset before you go live, not just on your laptop.
Questions
Is the music included in the price?
Yes. All music in our library is part of the greeting price, at no extra charge.
Can I use the music outside the phone system?
The usage right covers the greeting on your phone systems and in your business communications, as set out in our terms. For any other use, ask us first.
Do I need TheMusicLicence?
That depends on your business. PPL PRS decides who needs TheMusicLicence and publishes the tariffs; ask them with the details of your premises and phone system.