How royalties are distributed

Songwriters, composers and publishers do not earn a salary when they create their works – they earn their living from the use of their works in public. Many users are not aware of this.

As a collective management organisation, we see to it that music creators duly receive their royalties.  Royalties are calculated as accurately and efficiently as possible to reflect the actual use of their works. We collect the necessary data from the programme information reported by users. This ensures that even  authors whose works are not often performed or are only performed in small circles receive the royalties to which they are entitled. SUISA has one of the most accurate and equitable distribution systems in the world.

If you wish, you can also inform us in writing about the uses of your works. For more details, please consult: Reporting performed works.

Settlement

Settlement schedule

1st quarterly settlement 2024

 15 March 2024

Domestic performance rights, tariffs: D, K, Z (3rd Quarter 2023)
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio & TV 3rd Quarter 2023)
Domestic mechanical rights, tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (3rd Quarter 2023)
1st foreign settlement 2024 Mid-March
1st video-on-demand settlement 2024 Mid-March
1st online settlement (Downloads & Streaming) 2024 End of March
1st adjustments settlement 2024 End of March

2nd quarterly settlement 2024

15 June 2024

Domestic performance rights, tariffs: B, C, D, E, H, Hb, HV, K, Z (2023)
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio & TV 4th quarter 2023)
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG commercials 2023)
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariffs: S, Y (2023)
Domestic mechanical rights, Tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (4th quarter 2023)
Domestic mechanical rights, central licensing (2nd semester 2023)
2nd foreign settlement 2024 Mid-June
2nd online settlement (Downloads & Streaming) 2024 End of June
Publishers’ pension benefits Early July
Authors’ pension benefits Mid-July

3rd quarterly settlement 2024

15 September 2024

Domestic performance rights, tariffs: D, K, Z (1st quarter 2024)
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio & TV 1st quarter 2024)
Advertising windows (2022)
Domestic mechanical rights, tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (1st quarter 2024)
3rd  foreign settlement 2024 Mid-September
Blank media levy (CT4), settlement 2024 Mid-September
Sub-publisher shares cable networks, settlement 2024 Mid-September
2nd video-on-demand settlement 2024 Mid-September
3rd online settlement (Downloads & Streaming) 2024 End of September
2nd adjustments settlement 2024 End of September
Re-recording rights settlement, 2024 End of October

4th quarterly settlement 2024

15 December 2024

Domestic performance rights, tariffs: D, K, Z (2nd quarter 2024)
Domestic broadcasting rights, tariff: A (SRG Radio & TV 2nd quarter 2024)
Domestic mechanical rights, tariffs: PA, PI, PN, VI, VN (2nd quarter 2024)
Domestic mechanical rights, central licensing (1st semester 2024)
4th foreign settlement 2024 Mid-December
4th online settlement (Downloads & Streaming) 2024 Mid-December

When the rightholders of a work cannot be identified, the relevant royalties are generally set aside for five years. During that time, SUISA endeavours to obtain the necessary information to enable distribution. If this is not successful, the reserved amounts are applied to benefit  rightholders in the five years after they were set aside. The distributable amounts released after five years are applied either to supplemental distributions or to cover costs. 

Questions? 

Contact us for guidance and support.