TL;DR: SESAC is a US performing rights organization (PRO) that operates by invitation only. It collects and distributes public performance royalties for songwriters and publishers. Unlike ASCAP and BMI, SESAC is a for-profit company that actively recruits its members and negotiates direct licensing agreements.
What Is SESAC?
SESAC (originally the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers, though now simply "SESAC") is the third-largest PRO in the United States. It was founded in 1930 and acquired by private equity in 2013. Unlike ASCAP and BMI — which are non-profit and open to any qualifying songwriter — SESAC membership is by invitation only.
SESAC collects public performance royalties when its members' music is:
- Streamed on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube
- Broadcast on terrestrial radio and television
- Played in bars, restaurants, hotels, and live venues
- Used in film, TV, and advertising
SESAC also owns Harry Fox Agency (HFA) and Mint Digital Services, giving it mechanical royalty collection capabilities beyond a typical PRO.
SESAC vs. ASCAP vs. BMI
| Feature | SESAC | ASCAP | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership | Invitation only | Open | Open |
| Structure | For-profit | Non-profit | Non-profit |
| US songwriters represented | ~30,000 | 1M+ | 1.4M+ |
| Royalty distribution | Quarterly | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Mechanical arm | HFA / Mint | None | None |
| International collection | Via reciprocal deals | Via reciprocal deals | Via reciprocal deals |
SESAC's smaller roster means it can offer more attentive service and, in some cases, more competitive royalty rates. However, the invitation requirement means it is not an option for most independent artists starting out.
How SESAC Collects Royalties
SESAC issues blanket licenses to broadcasters, streaming platforms, and performance venues. It uses a combination of:
- Airplay monitoring for radio and TV
- Streaming data reported directly by DSPs (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
- Survey-based sampling for live venues and smaller platforms
Royalties are distributed quarterly. SESAC does not publicly disclose its total revenue, but industry estimates place it significantly below ASCAP ($1.759B in 2025) and BMI ($1.573B FY2022, last published).
The SESAC Metadata Problem
Even SESAC members miss royalties due to metadata errors. The most common issues:
- ISWC mismatch: If the ISWC on your SESAC registration doesn't match the ISWC embedded in your streaming metadata, plays cannot be matched.
- Name inconsistencies: Writer names that differ between your SESAC registration and distributor metadata cause unmatched royalties.
- Unregistered works: A song must be registered with SESAC before royalties from its performances can be collected.
- Co-writer gaps: If one co-writer is registered with SESAC but another is with ASCAP or BMI, royalties for each writer are split at the source — but only if all registrations are correctly linked.
How to Join SESAC
SESAC membership is not open enrollment. To be considered:
- Be invited: SESAC actively recruits songwriters with commercial activity — radio play, sync placements, streaming traction.
- Apply via a referral: Existing SESAC members or music industry professionals can refer you.
- Submit your catalog: SESAC will review your existing works and commercial activity.
- Negotiate your deal: SESAC offers some members signing bonuses and advance structures not available at ASCAP or BMI.
If you are not yet eligible for SESAC, ASCAP and BMI are open to any songwriter who has at least one original work.
What SESAC Does NOT Collect
Even as a SESAC member, you will miss royalties without additional registrations:
- US mechanical royalties: SESAC itself does not collect mechanicals directly. HFA/Mint handles this as a separate service — you must opt in.
- SoundExchange royalties: SoundExchange collects digital performance royalties for sound recording owners from internet radio and satellite. This is separate from SESAC's songwriter/publisher royalties.
- International neighboring rights: PPL (UK), GVL (Germany), and other CMOs collect neighboring rights for recording artists and labels. These require separate registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SESAC better than ASCAP or BMI? For most independent artists, SESAC is not an option due to the invitation requirement. Among those who qualify, SESAC can offer competitive rates and more personalized service, but total royalty amounts depend heavily on your catalog's commercial reach.
Does SESAC collect mechanical royalties? SESAC owns Harry Fox Agency (HFA), which does collect mechanical royalties — but this is a separate service from SESAC PRO membership and requires separate enrollment.
Can I be a member of SESAC and ASCAP at the same time? No. In the US, a songwriter can only be affiliated with one PRO at a time for their performing rights. You must choose SESAC, ASCAP, or BMI.
What happens if my ISWC doesn't match Spotify's metadata? Royalties from those streams go into a suspense pool. If the mismatch is not resolved, they may eventually be distributed to other rights holders as black box royalties. This affects SESAC members identically to ASCAP or BMI members.
Sources
- SESAC official website, membership information (2024)
- ASCAP 2025 Annual Report: $1.759B distributed (record)
- BMI Annual Report FY2022 (last published before going for-profit): $1.573B
- CISAC Global Collections Report 2024: €12.59B collected globally by all CMOs