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Commercial Radio Stations

Updated: 16 May 2024 | 15:48 PM
Rates

Rates of pay and fees for recording session musicians from 2024

Studio session fees - 3 hours, (30 mins allowable recorded duration)

Minimum Fee  

£90.00 

Additional call time (per hour)  

£30.00 

Additional performance time (per 30mins)  

£30.00 

Overtime per 15min or part thereof (max 30mins)  

£30.00 
  1. Uplifts may be payable for additional rights (see main agreement)
  2. Recording for programmes that are not for full network broadcast may be paid at a discounted rate

Additional fees

Doubling/Trebling (per additional instrument)  

Plus 15% of all fees above  

Overdubbing (per overdub)  

Plus 110% of all fees above  

Online audio-visual broadcast (per 30mins)  

£45.00 

Replays of public concerts

Concert of up to 3 hours  

£90.00 

Per additional 30mins of part thereof  

£15.00 

Rights aquired

One transmission on the commissioning radio station and communication to the public via on demand (catch-up) for a maximum period of one week after initial transmission. Further use by negotiation with the MU.

Repeat broadcasts

If paid at the time of engagement (per repeat)  

35% of all fees excluding Porterage  

If paid at the time of repeat transmission (per repeat)  

50% of all fees excluding Porterage  

As an alternative to the above repeat fees unlimited radio broadcasts of the performance (must be paid at the time of engagement)  

125% of all fees excluding Porterage 

Signature tunes / station idents 

Signature Tune (2 years use in one programme series nominated at the time of engagement)  

175% of all fees excluding Porterage 

Station Idents (2 years use on the station nominated at the time of engagement)  

250% of all fees excluding Porterage 

Concessionary rates

One Regional broadcast area (as defined by Ofcom)  

75% of above fees  

One Local Radio Station (as defined by Ofcom)  

70% of above fees  

Commercial audio release 

By negotiation with the MU.

Unsocial hours 

Between midnight and 8:00 am and/or public holidays (bank holidays + other declared holidays) 

Double time  

Porterage rates

Chimes, Drums, Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone  

£25.00 

Electric Accordion, Electric Guitar, Bass Saxophone, Tuba, Double Bass  

£20.00 

Contra Bassoon, Glockenspiel, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet plus 1 other instrument, Trombone plus 1 other brass instrument or collection of mutes, French Horn plus 1 other brass instrument, 2 Saxophones, Cello  

£15.00 

Harp, Timpani, Organ  

Negotiable 

Downloads

Commercial Radio Rates (0.09 MB)
Commercial Radio Session Contract (0.26 MB)

Member services for recording musicians

Collective Bargaining

Collective Bargaining

The MU negotiates collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and umbrella organisations for other regular employers of session musicians.

Read more about Collective Bargaining