Soundtrack now includes SESAC: what it means for your business

With SESAC included, Soundtrack now has even more music available for every customer in the United States. And it gets better: US-based businesses now have access to one of the most complete music licensing offerings on the market. SESAC's music catalog is now available in Soundtrack.

Does Soundtrack include SESAC licensing?

Yes. Starting on 1 November 2026, a Soundtrack subscription includes SESAC public performance rights for businesses in the United States, along with ASCAP, BMI and GMR. Some exceptions require additional licensing (see Soundtrack's general terms and conditions for more information).

SESAC is one of the four major American performing rights organizations (PROs). Learn more about SESAC licensing for US businesses.

What does SESAC being included mean for US businesses?

One Soundtrack subscription now covers songs from the four major American PROs. That means more music available for your business, while also getting four PRO licenses included as part of the subscription.

Take what restaurants need to license as an example. In order to play the range of music you'd find in a consumer app, it would typically need to manage and pay for public performance licenses from the four major PROs. That's because songwriters, publishers and other rights holders are represented by different organizations, sometimes even within the same song.

With Soundtrack in the United States, it's simple: those public performance licenses are included in one subscription. That's one less thing for a restaurant to deal with.

If you already pay for these licenses separately, you can reduce your costs by cancelling them today. To cancel a license with any other collecting society, visit their website directly.

Please note: some exceptions require additional licensing. If your business falls under an exception (e.g., offering fitness to music, charging an admission fee) where you need to get your own PRO licenses (see Soundtrack's general terms and conditions), you'll now also need a license from SESAC.

"Our new deal with SESAC ensures that Soundtrack provides everything in one subscription," says Ola. "Now, US business owners can feel safe playing music to customers, and music creators and rights holders are fairly compensated when their music is used to grow these businesses."

Soundtrack customers in the US get access to more songs. The agreement with SESAC adds over a million tracks to the Soundtrack catalog, including some of the biggest hits in pop, hip hop and rock. Now Soundtrack playlists like Rock Essentials are better than ever before.

If that sounds good to your ears, try Soundtrack free for 14 days.

Why did Soundtrack add SESAC?

Soundtrack's mission has always been to make music licensing simpler and working with SESAC is a big step towards that. Here's Soundtrack CEO Ola Sars on why this partnership matters for businesses:

"For business owners, it's almost impossible to understand and comply with existing requirements, and our research confirms that lack of awareness and understanding, not ill-intent, is the main driver of this widespread compliance issue."

"Our aim is to create a healthy ecosystem for the background music industry by growing the music royalty pie for music creators and rightsholders, while not breaking the bank for hard-working businesses."

What is a PRO and why does SESAC matter?

A performing rights organization (PRO) protects the public performance rights of their members' musical works. PROs generally collect fees from businesses that want to play music on-site by selling public performance licenses. PROs also distribute royalty payments to the songwriters and publishers that they represent. SESAC is one of the four major PROs in the US.

Why does this matter? Songs often have co-writers represented by different PROs, which means a business having a public performance license from just one PRO doesn't necessarily cover all the music a business wants to play. In the US, a business would need licenses from all four major PROs to play a music catalog similar to those from leading consumer streaming services. Despite this, our research shows that even though 78% of businesses think they're compliant with licensing rules, only 5% of American businesses hold licenses from all four PROs.

SESAC's catalog contains some of the biggest hits in pop, rock and hip hop, which means adding SESAC is a huge boon for Soundtrack customers: that means more music and, for American businesses, a more complete licensing package.

Learn more about how ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC differ in our guide on the American music licensing scene.

What do current Soundtrack customers need to do?

Nothing! Music from SESAC's catalog is included in Soundtrack as of 1 November 2026. There's no additional fee to pay, your business just gets access to more great music.

Did you know that your Soundtrack account includes a licensing certificate? The certificate (only available for US businesses) shows that your music is covered by ASCAP, BMI, GMR and now SESAC (some exceptions require additional licensing). Keep it on file in case a PRO asks to see proof of licensing. Download your new certificate.

In order to be compliant when playing music in your business, you need to use a commercially-licensed music source (a music service licensed for business use) and hold the necessary public performance licenses. For US-based businesses, that means the four main US PROs: ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC.

Start a free trial or get your updated certificate today

Partnering with SESAC makes the Soundtrack catalog better for everyone. US businesses can also benefit from simplified music licensing with public performance licenses baked into your plan.

Start a free trial.

Get your updated licensing certificate.

Frequently asked questions about Soundtrack and SESAC

Do I still need a separate SESAC license if I use Soundtrack?

US businesses don't need a separate license from SESAC (some exceptions require additional licensing). Your Soundtrack plan already includes a public performance license from SESAC.

Does Soundtrack cover live music, karaoke or fitness classes?

Soundtrack is a background music service. Usage for live music accompaniment, karaoke or fitness classes aren't covered by your Soundtrack license. Read more about licensing limitations in Soundtrack's general terms and conditions.

When does Soundtrack start including SESAC?

Music from SESAC's catalog is available starting 1 November 2026.

Where do I find my updated license certificate?

Soundtrack customers can download their updated license certificate in the app.