What Is ASCAP?

Who ASCAP Pays:

ASCAP pays royalties to:

  • Songwriters
  • Composers
  • Publishers

Each song has two royalty shares:

  • Writer’s share (you, the songwriter)
  • Publisher’s share (you or your publisher)


 What Counts as a Performance:

  • AM/FM radio play
  • Live performances (concerts, bars, clubs)
  • Streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
  • TV shows, commercials, film syncs
  • In-store and public background music (restaurants, gyms, etc.)


 How You Earn:

  1. Join ASCAP: You must register as a writer (and optionally as a publisher).
  2. Register your songs: Each work must be filed with ASCAP to be tracked.
  3. Get paid quarterly: ASCAP monitors uses and distributes royalties 4 times per year.


  Steps to Register:

  1. Visit ascap.com
  2. Sign up as a writer (one-time fee ~$50)
  3. Optionally sign up as a publisher (additional ~$50)
  4. Register each song you write or co-write


 How ASCAP Calculates Royalties:

  • Payments are based on usage data, type of performance, and audience size.
  • More plays = more royalties
  • Major TV or radio placements pay significantly more than local bar gigs or small streams.


 Important Notes:

  • ASCAP is just one U.S. PRO—others include BMI and SESAC
  • You can only register with one PRO at a time per country
  • You still need to register with the MLC to collect mechanical royalties
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