How to secure a commercial music streaming subscription

To play music legally in your yoga classes or studio, you must sign up for a dedicated commercial music streaming service. Most popular platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are for personal, private use only; using them in a professional environment is a breach of their terms of service and UK copyright law.

Why a personal account isn't enough

When you pay for a personal streaming subscription, you are only purchasing the right to listen in a private, domestic setting. As soon as you play that music for a class or in a public space, it is classified as a "public performance." Commercial streaming services are specifically designed to handle these rights and ensure the service provider is authorised for business use.

Recommended commercial streaming options

• Soundtrack Your Brand: Often referred to as Spotify for Business, it offers a familiar interface and allows you to sync your existing Spotify playlists.
• SoundJack: A popular UK-based choice for small businesses that provides a wide range of curated music.
• Ambie: A great option if you want more control over the "vibe" of your studio at different times of the day.

Steps to get set up

1. Select your provider: Research the options above and choose one that fits your budget and offers offline playback if your studio Wi-Fi is patchy.
2. Register your business: Sign up using your business email and provide your trading name.
3. Download the business app: Commercial services usually use a different app from the personal versions. Install this on the device you will use for teaching.

Note: A commercial subscription is separate from "TheMusicLicence" (PPL PRS). You generally need both: the subscription pays for the service, while the licence pays the artists for the public performance of their work.