BMI

Audiodrome Toggle Info   |   Last Updated: March 13th, 2026   |   5 min read   |   Glossary

Audiodrome is a royalty-free music platform designed specifically for content creators who need affordable, high-quality background music for videos, podcasts, social media, and commercial projects. Unlike subscription-only services, Audiodrome offers both free tracks and simple one-time licensing with full commercial rights, including DMCA-safe use on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. All music is original, professionally produced, and PRO-free, ensuring zero copyright claims. It’s ideal for YouTubers, freelancers, marketers, and anyone looking for budget-friendly audio that’s safe to monetize.

BMI, short for Broadcast Music, Inc., is a U.S. performance rights organization that collects and distributes public performance royalties for songwriters, composers, and music publishers. In practice, BMI matters because it licenses music use across radio, TV, streaming, live venues, and businesses, then pays eligible rights holders when their music is publicly performed.

Quick facts:
Also called: Broadcast Music, Inc.
Applies to: songwriters, composers, publishers, broadcasters, venues, streaming platforms, businesses that publicly perform music
Separate from: Harry Fox Agency (HFA), sync licensing, mechanical royalties, direct music ownership
Common uses: public performance royalty collection, music-use licensing, songwriter registration, publisher royalty administration
Often handled by: songwriters, composers, publishers, PRO teams, broadcasters, venues, digital platforms.

Example:
A restaurant plays popular songs for customers throughout the day. If those songs are in BMI’s catalog, the business may need a BMI license for that public use, and BMI can then collect fees and distribute performance royalties to the registered writers and publishers.

Gotchas:

  • BMI collects performance royalties, not every kind of music income. It does not collect sync fees or mechanical royalties.
  • Joining BMI does not mean you can freely use any song in any way. BMI licensing usually covers public performance, not all music rights.
  • BMI is a PRO, not a publisher or label, so it helps administer performance royalties rather than owning all the music it represents.
  • Catalog coverage and payout details depend on registration, reported usage, and the type of performance, so missing metadata or incomplete reports can affect payment.

FAQs

Yes. Broadcast Music, Inc. has agreements with platforms like YouTube and TikTok to collect performance royalties. However, YouTube also pays royalties through Content ID and other systems, so songwriters may receive income from both BMI and platform-specific programs.

No. In the U.S., a songwriter can only be affiliated with one PRO at a time (e.g., Broadcast Music, Inc., ASCAP, or SESAC). Publishers, however, can work with multiple PROs if they represent different writers.

BMI only collects performance royalties. It does not collect mechanical royalties (from downloads or streaming), sync licensing fees (for film/TV placements), or royalties from direct digital sales.

You can only register your original arrangement of a cover song if you’ve made a significant, original contribution. However, royalties for cover songs mostly go to the original songwriter unless you have legal permission to claim partial authorship.

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Related terms:
PRO • Public Performance License • Harry Fox Agency (HFA) • Rights Holders • Independent Artist • Revenue Split • Sync License.