May 2026
Dear Songwriter, Composer and Publisher,
I’m pleased to share some exciting updates with you, starting off with the news that this quarter’s distribution exceeds $500 million, making BMI the first PRO to ever distribute this high an amount in a single quarter! This milestone is a direct result of the incredible popularity of your music, which is captivating worldwide audiences across platforms. We are continuing to build on this success and enhance the service we are privileged to provide to you.
To that end, BMI recently announced that we are acquiring Soundmouse, the global leader in music cue sheet management and monitoring for the broadcast and entertainment production space. BMI and Soundmouse will combine our collective expertise in domestic and international cue sheet generation to establish the largest and most comprehensive cue sheet database in the global audiovisual marketplace, which is one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry. This acquisition ensures BMI is in the best position to collect and distribute the royalties you are entitled to whenever your music is used in an AV production, anywhere around the world. Importantly, this transaction will be funded through BMI’s operating cash and will not impact royalty distributions.
As part of our ongoing efforts to help develop music careers, I’m happy to report that BMI’s Spark program continues to grow, with several new partners coming on board this quarter. I encourage you to explore our expanded selection of exclusive discounts and special offers on music creation tools, as well as curated educational and wellness resources, all designed to enhance your career. You can find these details and more information about Spark in your OLS account. On a similar front, our second annual BMI Composer Lab will be kicking off this summer, and we are preparing for another productive program of mentorship and collaboration led by world-renowned composers.
I’m pleased to note that in addition to your regular royalties, this quarter’s distribution includes retro payments for radio performances from 2022 through 2024 for those eligible. Additionally, if applicable, you will see royalties from Pluto TV for all of 2025.
As always, I’d like to congratulate our outstanding music creators who we celebrated at BMI’s Pop Awards and Film, TV & Visual Media Awards. It was an honor to recognize your achievements and to present the BMI Icon Awards to renowned pop songwriter Paul Anka and groundbreaking film composer Theodore Shapiro. Kudos also go to BMI’s award winners at the CMAs, Oscars, Children’s & Family Emmys, Academy of Arts & Letters Awards, BRIT Awards and to our nominees for the Ivor Novello Awards. I’d also like to acknowledge our music creators slated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as upcoming Hal David Starlight recipient RAYE, who will join inductees Taylor Swift and Graham Lyle, along with Johnny Mercer Award honoree John Fogerty, at the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala next month.
Lastly, I’d like to thank all the bands and songwriters who played our stages at SXSW and at the Key West Songwriters Festival. Next, we’re gearing up for the 20th anniversary of the BMI Stage at Lollapalooza, which has been an amazing run of new music discovery, with much more to come. It’s going to be another quarter to remember.
Have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Mike O'Neill
Chief Executive Officer
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