February 2026
Dear Songwriter, Composer and Publisher,
I hope your year is off to a terrific start. We’ve been hitting the ground running on our end, and I’m excited to share some key updates with you.
We welcomed two new senior executives this quarter whose expertise will help drive BMI’s mission to grow and protect the value of your music. Todd Horvath joined in a new role as President and Chief Operating Officer, and he will work closely with me as he oversees BMI’s ongoing efforts to modernize our platforms, identify new sources of revenue and improve your experience with BMI. Bringing 20 years of experience in finance, tech, M&A and customer service, I’m thrilled to have Todd on board as it enables me to continue to focus on the strategic vision for the company. In addition, Pam Schoenfeld joined as our new SVP, Chief Legal Officer, and her extensive legal experience in the music licensing and technology spaces will greatly benefit our creative community as we continue to safeguard the value of your work.
I’m also delighted to share that legendary songwriter Lee Thomas Miller has signed on as BMI’s Songwriter Ambassador in Residence for our Nashville office. This new initiative was designed to deepen engagement with songwriters as they navigate the art and business of music. Lee will be hosting and speaking at multiple BMI events and festivals throughout the year, providing his insights for emerging and established writers alike, and I know this will be an incredible opportunity for our affiliates in Music City and beyond. Furthering BMI’s commitment to championing songwriters and composers at every career stage, I’m happy to report that our Spark program continues to grow, with several new partners coming on board this quarter to help enhance your career. You can learn more here about all Spark has to offer.
On the advocacy front, BMI and others in the music industry, including the Human Artistry Campaign (of which BMI is a member), have been working on an important issue, pushing AI companies to be transparent about what copyrighted materials they are using to “train” their generative systems. Recently, two bills, the CLEAR Act and the TRAIN Act, were introduced to require AI companies to disclose when they use copyrighted materials. We’ll keep you updated as these bills make their way through the legislative process, and in the meantime, we’ll continue to work to ensure that your creativity and music are protected as AI technologies evolve.
In addition to your regular quarterly royalties, those eligible will see payments from electronic dance-music platforms Beatport and Beatsource for performances in 2024 and the first half of 2025. Moreover, if applicable, this distribution includes 2024 payments for Twitch, along with several gaming platforms.
Many talented BMI music creators were recognized with industry honors this quarter and kudos go out to all our winners at the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards, Golden Globes, Premio Lo Nuestro, Latin GRAMMY Awards and CMAs. Looking ahead, best of luck to our affiliates nominated for the BAFTA Awards, BRIT Awards and the 98th Annual Academy Awards. I’d also like to give a shout-out to our extraordinary songwriters being inducted this year into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Taylor Swift and Graham Lyle, along with the legendary John Fogerty, who will be receiving the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award. Congratulations to all!
Thank you for your continued trust and for giving us the opportunity to represent your phenomenal music. We’re looking forward to making 2026 another great year together.
Sincerely,
Mike O'Neill
Chief Executive Officer
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