When Does SAMRO Pay Royalties in 2025? A Step-by-Step Guide for South African Musicians
- Anga Hackula
- Jun 8, 2025
- 2 min read
If you're a South African musician and wondering when SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organisation) pays out royalties, you’re not alone. This article breaks down exactly what you need to do to get paid—and when you can expect to receive your money.
Before You Can Get Paid
To receive royalties from SAMRO, there are a few important boxes you must tick:
You must have earned more than R100 in royalties.SAMRO only pays out if your royalty balance exceeds R100.
You must be registered with SAMRO.If you haven’t signed up, you won’t be in their royalty system.
You must submit a Notification of Works (NOW).This means officially registering your songs and listing all contributors so SAMRO knows who to pay and how to split royalties.
Once all of these are done, the waiting period begins…
How Long Does It Take to Get Paid?
After you've submitted everything correctly, it can take 6 months to 2 years to receive your royalties. Why? Because the music needs to be tracked, reported by users (like radio stations or TV), processed, and then scheduled for payment.
How to Check When SAMRO Will Pay You
Here’s how you can check the official royalty payment schedule:
Go to the SAMRO website.
Click on the “Distribution” tab.
Find the Distribution Schedule, which lists:
The distribution type (Radio, TV, Live Performance, Streaming, etc.)
The financial year
The submission cut-off dates
The expected payment dates to rights holders
This schedule is updated regularly, so you’ll want to check it each year.
Understanding the Distribution Types
Each distribution type corresponds to how your music was used:
Radio & General – Royalties from public and private radio stations.
Live Performances – For gigs, concerts, or any public performance.
TV & Sync – Music used in television shows or sync placements.
Film – Royalties from cinemas or film use.
Foreign – Royalties collected from other countries.
Streaming / Internet (Post Sequence MIT) – Includes mobile, internet radio, and platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Tip: Many musicians forget to register their live performances, but this can be a source of extra income.
Final Thoughts
Knowing when SAMRO pays is crucial to managing your music income. Always make sure your music is properly registered and check the distribution schedule every few months.
💬 Have questions or insights about your own royalty journey? Drop a comment or subscribe to my YouTube channel for more real-world music business advice.
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