Cinema

Music plays a crucial role in creating the total cinema experience.

Movie soundtracks play their own special role in films and the music played by an Exhibitor before and after the film itself helps create the right atmosphere for customers. Because of these many benefits, the creators of the music used by Cinema Exhibitors are entitled to be fairly paid for the use of their work.

What Rights do Cinemas need?

Cinema Exhibitors require permissions from the creators and owners of that music to:

• Publicly perform sound recordings used within films, movie previews and advertisements; and
• Play sound recordings as background music before and after film screenings – in theatres, foyers and any other public cinema spaces.

Cinema Exhibitors also require permissions from the creators of the underlying musical work (the music and lyrics) contained within films and when music is played as background music in public cinema spaces, such as theatres and foyers. Previously, Cinema Exhibitors required a music licence from Recorded Music NZ to license the use of sound recordings represented Recorded Music NZ and a separate licence from APRA AMCOS to license the use of musical works represented by APRA AMCOS.

Information for Licensees

Following consultation and feedback received from Cinema Exhibitors across the motu, from 1 July 2025, APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ have combined their Cinema licensing under OneMusic – a joint licensing initiative designed to simplify the process of music licensing for New Zealand businesses.

Cinema Exhibitor licences issued by Recorded Music NZ before 1 July 2025 will now be administered by OneMusic.

New licensees can apply for a Cinema Exhibitors Licence, including the rights controlled by Recorded Music NZ, by contacting jorge.marquet@onemusicnz.com or info@onemusicnz.com