Music copyright collective PRS for Music has appointed Ben McOwen Wilson as CEO.
Announcing his appointment, Performing Right Society (PRS) for Music cited the breadth of experience McOwen Wilson "brings to the opportunities and challenges" facing the organisation and its members.
McOwen Wilson, who takes up the role on 12 October 2026, joins from Google Play, where he has served as EMEA Managing Director since 2022. Before that, he was YouTube’s Managing Director for the UK and Ireland. He has also served as the first Chair of the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention from outside the traditional TV industry.
In his new role, McOwen Wilson will support the organisation's mission to track where music is used and collect royalties for artists.
.png)
PRS for Music
The organisation stated: "As AI, gaming, digital platforms, and new forms of music consumption reshape the industry, he has spent the past 20 years building partnerships across complex digital ecosystems while working with rights holders, broadcasters, creators, and policymakers. The combination of strategic leadership, commercial experience, and creator advocacy makes him exceptionally well placed to help protect and grow the value of music for PRS members."
Julian Nott, Chair of the PRS Members’ Council, emphasised: "Songwriters, composers, and publishers need a society working tirelessly to champion them and their rights. A society which embraces innovation and has the confidence to shape the future, not simply respond to it. Ben is an outstanding leader with all the skills necessary to guide PRS for Music through the many changes in the music industry and the wider media market."
McOwen Wilson said: "In the age of AI and accelerated digital distribution, protecting the integrity and value of human creativity is our most urgent priority. My focus will be on ensuring PRS catalyses our members' success, ensuring they remain at the centre of a sustainable and growing global music ecosystem."
John Maxwell Hobbs recently investigated the IBC Accelerator project, named Crystal Clear: Boosting Speech Intelligibility in Media, to find out how the team plans to redefine dialogue intelligibility. Discover more here.
Broadband subscription growth rebounds to hit 1.6 billion
Global fixed broadband subscribers reached 1.591 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 1.06% on the previous quarter and 4.15% year-on-year, according to research by analysts Point Topic.
Western Europe streaming revenue to hit $75bn by 2031
Western Europe's total streaming revenue is set to rise from $53.3bn in 2026 to $74.9bn by 2031, up 41%, according to 3Vision's Video Markets Tracker forecasts.
Spotify to add AI Persona badges on AI-generated artist profiles
Spotify is to start adding ‘AI Persona’ badges on some artist profiles from September 2026 to give listeners more transparency about whether the artist behind the music was a real person.
Disney+ strikes broadcasting deal with Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast
Disney+ has signed a one-year agreement to broadcast The Overlap network's Stick to Football podcast and a new show, named Stick to United with Wayne Rooney.
Paramount says Warner Bros Discovery deal has secured global regulatory approval
Paramount Skydance Corporation has claimed it secured regulatory clearance for its acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery in all countries that have investigated the deal.
.jpg)
