As a Sabam member, you receive a remuneration whenever your music is used publicly: live, on radio or TV, online, or on physical carriers. We make sure you receive what you are entitled to, in a fair and transparent way.
Receiving your royalties: how does it work?
The royalties we receive via Unisono from users of your creations are distributed based on playlists and the distribution key you have agreed upon. These playlists are provided by the users. But you can also submit them yourself by declaring the setlist of your concerts via MyPlaylist in MySabam.
Which costs do we deduct?
Sabam operates as a non-profit organisation, but we do charge costs to manage your rights correctly. We communicate these transparently:
1. Management fee
For each amount we pay you, we deduct a management fee. This covers the costs of data processing, legal follow-up, IT, etc. The percentage depends on the type of rights and the year of exploitation. You can find the different commission rates via Played&Paid in your MySabam account.
2. Social and cultural contribution
A small percentage goes to our social and cultural fund. This supports new creations and young talent.
3. Withholding tax
We are legally obliged to transfer 15% of your remuneration to the tax authorities. You will receive a tax statement for this.
What will you find on your statement?
- your gross royalty amount
- the deducted management fee
- your contribution to the social and cultural fund
- the withholding tax
- your net amount
See the 2025 Music distribution schedule here
Read the 2025 general regulations and statutes for details on our distribution keys.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know exactly what I am being paid for?
On your statement, you can see the type of use (live, online, radio…). In your MySabam account, you will find even more details, such as which track was streamed, on which platform, and in which country.
Why is my remuneration lower than expected?
This may be due to the management fee, the withholding tax, the social fund contribution, or deductions by foreign societies. Compare gross and net amounts for a clear picture.
Can I do anything to get paid faster?
Yes. Submit your setlists or music usage yourself via MyPlaylist in MySabam. The sooner we receive correct information, the sooner we can pay you.
What is the difference between Sabam and Unisono?
Unisono collects royalties from organisers and users. Sabam distributes these royalties among its members. You therefore deal with both, but your remuneration is paid via Sabam.