What does this tariff apply to?
Tariff 'C' applies to commercial cinemas regularly exhibiting films on not fewer than three days weekly for a period of not less than four months during the year.
In brief, the tariff covers PRS music played by means of:
- film soundtracks (including advertisements)
- intermission, play-in and play-out music
- music in the cinema foyer (where under the cinema's control)
- up to three variety entertainments (before, during or after a complete picture programme)
- simulcast events (see below)
What is outside this tariff?
Separate charges under the appropriate PRS tariff apply to, for example: music in areas let to or controlled by any third party; any separate pub or bar, restaurant, café, or shop; entertainments where there is no charge for admission (other than are normally taken into account by the tariff provisions).
What are the charges?
The PRS royalty charge, for film soundtrack, etc, music at each cinema site, is either 1% of actual receipts from admissions, or a monetary rate (see tariff) per actual admission. The cinema exhibitor must elect his basis of charge in advance by informing PRS no later than 31 January each year. A prompt payment discount of 6% can be obtained by certifying returns and making payment to PRS by 31 January each year. Where the annual number of admissions per cinema site is less than 60,000 a scale of low attendance discounts also applies.
Simulcast events
These are public screenings of a live event (e.g. concert) taking place at a remote location and relayed to a cinema for simultaneous exhibition. The PRS rate for this newly emerging type of music use is a small percentage of actual admission receipts (see tariff for details).