British PRO PRS for Music has raised more than £2.1m ($2.6m) to help its members severely financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, sister org PPL is bringing forward its June distribution to April, pledging an advance payment to members of £23.9m ($29.7m).
Since its launch in March, the PRS Emergency Relief Fund has helped more than 3,000 songwriters and composers, with more than £1.2m ($1.5m) being paid out so far.
“We have seen first-hand the difference the PRS Emergency Relief Fund has made and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has donated so far,” PRS for Music CEO Andrea C. Martin.
PPL, the U.K.’s music licensing company for performers and recording rights-holders, will make its advance payment of £23.9m to more than 15,000 performers and rights holders at the end of April. The payment will bridge the gap between payments made in March and June as part of its annual distribution schedule.
PPL Chief Executive Officer Peter Leathem thanked "PPL’s staff for their tireless efforts in making this payment happen.”
