Radio Play Tracking & Royalty Collection Checklist for Artists: Essential steps to track radio plays, verify metadata, and collect royalties worldwide.
1. Register With Your Performing Rights Organization (PRO)
This is the MOST important step. Without this, they won’t get paid for radio plays.
Examples:
- US: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC
- Canada: SOCAN
- UK: PRS for Music
- Australia: APRA AMCOS
- Europe (varies): GEMA, SACEM, SGAE, etc.
Action:
✔ Create a songwriter/composer account
✔ Add publisher info (if they don’t have a publisher, they can self-publish)
2. Register Each Song Correctly With Metadata
The PRO needs this info to match radio reports.
Make sure every song has:
- Correct title spelling
- Songwriter names + percentages
- Publisher name
- ISRC code (unique ID for the audio recording)
- Release information
Action:
✔ Submit each song to the PRO database
3. Register the Sound Recording With SoundExchange (US only but recommended)
If your artist’s songs ever play on digital radio (Pandora, SiriusXM, online stations) they also earn royalties through SoundExchange.
Action:
✔ Register as a Featured Artist
✔ Register the sound recordings (ISRCs)
4. Use Optional Radio-Monitoring Tools (Paid or Free)
These SOMETIMES catch plays that PROs miss and give the artist proof of airplay.
Optional services include:
- Radiomonitor
- BMAT / Vericast
- WARM (Worldwide Artist Royalty Management)
- Nielsen BDS (US/Canada)
Important:
You do not have to register with WARM. It’s optional. It just gives an artist real-time radio tracking data.
Action (optional):
✔ Choose a monitoring service if the artist wants detailed daily reports
5. Contact Radio Stations Directly (If Needed)
If your artist knows where they’re getting played or has relationships with DJs, they can:
- Request spin reports
- Confirm plays
- Ask if the station reports to your PRO
Some smaller community stations don’t report every song automatically, so asking helps.
6. Make Sure the Distributor Has Clean Metadata
Your digital distributor (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, The Orchard, AWAL) should have accurate info.
Action:
✔ Double-check ISRC codes
✔ Confirm song titles and writer metadata match the PRO exactly
Mismatch = missed royalties.
7. Check PRO Royalty Statements Regularly
Radio royalties often take 3–9 months to show up depending on the country.
Action:
✔ Log in to the PRO dashboard monthly
✔ Download royalty statements
✔ Compare with radio reports if using WARM/Radiomonitor
8. If Plays Are Missing → File a “Claim for Unmatched Royalties”
Every PRO has a way to report:
- Missing plays
- Incorrect royalty amounts
- Unmatched data
Send them proof (e.g., a spin report from WARM or the radio station).
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