Music in the pub: what the PPL PRS licence covers for quiz music rounds and music bingo

Music rounds are one of the most popular bits of any pub quiz. Music bingo can fill a room on a night that's usually dead. Both mean playing recorded music to customers, and that's where licences come in.

Here's the plain version. This isn't legal advice. It's a summary of what the government and PPL PRS publish, with links so you can check it yourself.

Two different things people mix up

There are two separate questions when you play music in a pub.

Can you put on entertainment at all? That's about your premises licence under licensing law.
Have you paid the people who own the music? That's about copyright, and it's what TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS covers.

Sorting one doesn't sort the other. You can be fine on the first and still need the second.

The entertainment side

The government's guidance on the Live Music Act says a licence isn't required for live music, or for playing recorded music, if it takes place between 8am and 11pm, at alcohol on-licensed premises, and to an audience of no more than 500 people. All three have to apply.

For most pub quizzes and music bingo nights, that covers the licensing side. But the guidance is about licensing law. It isn't about paying for the music itself.

The copyright side: TheMusicLicence

The government says you usually need a licence to "play recorded music in public or at your business". That includes background music from a CD, the radio or a music channel. The licence is called TheMusicLicence and it comes from PPL PRS, short for Phonographic Performance Ltd and Performing Rights Society. One licence now does the job that used to need two.

GOV.UK also says plainly: "You're infringing copyright if you play live or recorded music in public without a licence."

Does it cover quiz music rounds?

PPL PRS's page for pubs and bars lists using music in quizzes as one of the things you'll usually need TheMusicLicence for. It sits alongside background music, live performances, DJs and karaoke.

So if you play clips of songs in a music round, you should be covered by TheMusicLicence. If you already have one for background music, check your quiz is included in what you declared.

What about music bingo?

Music bingo isn't named on the PPL PRS pubs page. But the principle is the same as a music round: you're playing recorded music to customers. Treat it as needing cover until they tell you otherwise.

The safe move is to tell PPL PRS exactly what you're planning when you get a quote or renew. Ask how they'd treat a weekly music bingo night. Get the answer in writing, and keep it with your licence.

What affects the price

PPL PRS says the cost depends on how big the area is where music can be heard, and how you use music. Their quote checklist asks things like:

The size in square metres of each area where music is audible
How many live events you put on
How many karaoke sessions you run
How many jukeboxes you have
How many TV screens show music videos

So a music bingo night in your function room may be priced differently from background music in the bar. Measure your areas before you ring them, and be honest about your nights. Under-declaring to save a bit isn't worth the hassle if you're checked.

Royalty-free music

The government says you don't need a licence to play royalty-free music. The catch is that people want songs they know. A music round of tracks nobody recognises isn't much of a round.

Using a quiz company or a DJ

If someone else runs your music night, ask them straight: "Whose licence covers this?" Don't assume they're covered, and don't assume you are. It's your premises, so make sure it's sorted.

A simple checklist before your first music night

Check you hold TheMusicLicence, and that it's in date.
Check what you declared: background music only, or quizzes and events too.
If you're adding music bingo, tell PPL PRS and ask how they'll treat it.
Check your timings fit the entertainment rules, between 8am and 11pm, with no more than 500 people.
Keep a copy of the licence where staff can find it.

Sources

GOV.UK: Get a licence to play live or recorded music
PPL PRS: TheMusicLicence for pubs and bars
GOV.UK: Entertainment licensing: changes under the Live Music Act

We checked every source on 23 October 2026. Rules change, so check the latest version before you act. Nothing here is legal advice.