We also charge platforms royalties for video-on-demand. We do this for both paid and free services:
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paid platforms such as Netflix and Streamz
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free platforms from public broadcasters such as VRT MAX and Auvio
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free platforms from commercial broadcasters such as VTM GO and GoPlay
Streaming services pay a fee for the use of music, usually based on their revenue. That fee forms the basis for the distribution.
When your music is used in a movie, TV series, documentary, or other VOD production, your royalties go through several steps before they reach you:
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VOD platforms report which audiovisual works are being viewed
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Through cue sheets, we know exactly which music is used in that work
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Based on that data and the platform’s revenue, we calculate your royalties
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Sabam collects the royalties and handles the distribution
If a production is viewed abroad, we collect your royalties there through our sister companies.
We take various factors into account:
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Number of plays: the more often the production is viewed, the more often your music is used
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Proportional use: your royalty payment depends on how often your music is used relative to other works
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Cue sheets: these specify exactly which music is used in which scene
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International use: if your music is also used abroad, that revenue is included
Payment for video on demand is made at set times:
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Belgium: once a year in November via “Performance Rights Belgium: Video on Demand”
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Other countries: four times a year via “International Performance Rights” and “International Mechanical Rights”