BMI customer service number — expert guide to contacting Broadcast Music, Inc.

Overview and why the precise number matters

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) is one of the three major U.S. performing rights organizations, operating since 1939 and serving songwriters, composers and publishers worldwide. If you are a rights holder, licensee (for a business that plays music), or an administrator handling royalties, reaching the correct BMI customer service line or department quickly prevents delayed payments, misallocated royalties, or licensing coverage gaps.

Because BMI supports a complex set of functions — membership enrollment, repertoire registration, licensing for venues/streamers, royalty distribution, and technical account support — there is not one single universal phone number for every need. Use the official BMI contact page (https://www.bmi.com) to retrieve the up-to-date numbers and secure portals specific to your country and issue; that ensures you connect to the right team, avoid outdated numbers, and reduce hold time.

Where to find the correct customer service number and what to expect

The authoritative source for any BMI telephone number is the contact section of the official site (bmi.com/contact). BMI maintains separate channels for U.S., international, licensing, and membership support; many routine inquiries are routed through secure online forms or member portals rather than a public hotline. If you are calling from outside the U.S., check the international office list on BMI’s site to find region-specific hours and numbers.

Typical business-hour response for phone support is Monday–Friday during local business hours; average live-hold times vary by department and time of year (e.g., royalty-distribution season may see longer waits). If a phone line prompts you to select a department, choose the one that most closely matches your issue (Licensing, Royalty Distributions, Membership, or Technical Support) to get faster resolution.

What to prepare before you call

Preparation reduces call time and increases first-call resolution. Before dialing, gather identifiers and documentation that BMI agents will need to verify your account and the works or licenses involved. Having this information ready lets the representative locate records immediately and often resolves the issue during the first conversation.

• Account and member identifiers: BMI account number, publisher ID, songwriter IPI (if available), or the email used to register.
• Work and usage details: song titles, composer and publisher names, ISWC or ISRC codes (if known), registration dates, and recording metadata.
• Transaction and licensing documents: invoices, payment receipts, license numbers, dates and times of public performances or broadcasts, venue or station information.
• Technical access: login credentials for the BMI Contributor Portal (or ability to perform a secure identity verification during the call).
• Desired outcome and timeline: whether you need a royalty correction, retroactive license, registration amendment, or written confirmation for accounting.

Common BMI departments, typical response times and when to call each

BMI routes inquiries to specialized teams. Knowing which department handles your issue reduces transfers and escalations. Below are the common teams and the practical expectations for responses — use these as operating guidelines, not guarantees.

• Membership (songwriter/publisher enrollments): Use for new memberships, account updates, or authorizations. Typical phone resolution: same day to 5 business days depending on verification needs.
• Repertoire/Works Registration: Use to register songs, submit splits, or correct metadata. Typical response: immediate confirmation on portal submissions; manual corrections may take 3–10 business days.
• Licensing: Use for business licenses, blanket licenses, or amendments for venues/online services. Expect quote turnarounds in 1–7 business days; urgent requests can sometimes be handled by phone.
• Royalty Distribution and Accounting: Use for payment inquiries, distribution schedules, and audit adjustments. Allow 5–30 business days for investigation depending on historical volume and document complexity.
• Technical/Portal Support: Use for login issues, secure uploads, or API problems. Typical resolution: 1–3 business days, often faster if you provide screenshots and error messages.

Escalation, documentation and formal dispute steps

If a phone conversation does not resolve the problem, document the call: the agent’s name, date/time (including time zone), ticket or reference number, and a concise summary of what was agreed. This audit trail is essential for follow-up and for any formal dispute or appeal. BMI generally tracks cases internally and will provide written confirmation by email or portal message for material changes.

For unresolved royalty or contractual disputes, escalate first through BMI’s internal appeals process (ask the agent for the appeals or dispute unit contact information). If the matter remains unresolved, rights holders in the U.S. can consult legal counsel familiar with performing-rights disputes or inquire about guidance from the U.S. Copyright Office; for licensing disputes with large commercial implications, formal mediation or arbitration clauses in contracts may apply.

Alternative channels, security and fraud prevention

Beyond phone support, BMI offers secure online portals for members and businesses, email support tickets, and localized office contacts. Use the portal for repertoire submissions and distribution statements because it provides timestamps and downloadable confirmations, which are superior to verbal assurances over the phone. For formal notices, certified mail or documented uploads are recommended.

Beware of phishing and fraudulent callers claiming to be BMI representatives asking for passwords or banking information. BMI will never ask for a full password by phone. If you receive an unsolicited call requesting sensitive financial or login data, hang up and verify via the official website. Always confirm phone numbers from bmi.com/contact rather than search-engine results or third-party listings to avoid scams.