Recent Distribution changes
Changes to cue sheet weightings for television, Video-On-Demand (VOD) and cinema
We have received several thoughtful questions about the recent change to cue sheet weightings for television, Video-On-Demand (VOD) and cinema.
We are using this space to provide a clear and detailed explanation of how this decision was made, what it means for you, and how it positions us for the future.
How the decision was made
The review of background, featured and theme music (BFT) weightings began as part of a broader project raised by the APRA Board in 2023, with management undertaking detailed analysis and consultation throughout 2024 and into 2025.
This process included reviewing data, considering member feedback, and benchmarking international practices. The APRA Operations Committee considered several options, including retaining the current weightings, removing only one weighting, or adopting a different structure entirely.
After discussion and review of the data, the Committee recommended to the Board that the higher weighting applied to featured and theme music be removed, so that all background, featured and theme music used in a cue sheet is distributed at the same rate.
International benchmarking
As part of the review, APRA looked at the practices of other international affiliates. While the CISAC definitions for BFT are consistent globally, the weightings applied by individual PROs are not.
For example, PRS, IMRO and KODA all apply a flat weighting across BFT use, while others such as ASCAP, SACEM, SOCAN, TEOSTO and GEMA use different multipliers.
This benchmarking confirmed that there is no single global standard, and that moving to even weightings aligns APRA with a growing trend internationally.
Analysis and impact
Our distribution team analysed the proportion of total music classified as BFT across TV and VOD pools. Over 90 percent of music in cue sheetsis classified as background, with featured and theme making up only small single-digit percentages. The modelling showed that the overall impact of removing the higher weightings is relatively low, given the dominance of background music.
Importantly, the Board also requested that management modify the proportion of royalties allocated to jingles. This means that while royalties for featured and theme works would decrease, this was balanced by an increase in royalties allocated to jingles.
Quarterly differences in licence fees from broadcasters or cinemas – for example as a result of changes in advertising revenue or sales of movie tickets – will cause larger variances in your royalties than this change in distribution practices.
The modelling also took into account changes in viewing habits, such as the decline in consumption of theme music in credits due to viewers skipping opening sequences on VOD platforms.
Which pools are impacted
The changed practices apply only to our Australian and New Zealand domestic distribution pools for television (free, national and pay), VOD and cinema. These changes do not have any impact whatsoever on your earnings from international sources.
Why this change matters for the future
A key reason for moving to even weightings is to enable the adoption of music recognition technology (MRT) in our audiovisual distributions. MRT is part of APRA’s medium- and long-term strategy to improve the accuracy and scalability of distributions while managing costs.
MRT reporting does not currently distinguish between background, featured and theme, so simplifying our rules now allows us to take full advantage of these technologies as they become more widely used. This means more accurate processing and maximised payments for members in the long term.
Governance and transparency
This decision was made under APRA’s Distribution Rules and governance framework, which require changes to be fair and equitable. The Board considered member impact, international benchmarking, and strategic benefits before approving the change. We will continue to monitor distributions and review the impact annually and are committed to providing transparency around outcomes.
We are committed to transparency and to ensuring our practices continue to serve members fairly and effectively.
For full details, you can review: