ASCAPa, BMI, SESAC, SOCAN, PRS are all Performing Rights Organizations (or PRO for short). These PROs collect performance royalties for songwriters and publishers.
A performance royalty is earned anytime your song is “publicly performed.” “Publicly performed” is a loose term, but basically means anytime your song is played in public. Like on the speakers at Starbucks. On TV – TV shows, commercials, etc. On the radio – whether it’s the radio in your car or Pandora or Sirius/XM. When your song is performed live in a venue (yes even by you). And technically the PROs collect a little bit from YouTube and the streaming services. But it’s VERY little.
Learn more about the music business: https://www.patreon.com/TruWerdz
There are so many moving pieces in this music industry. So many different ways to collect money that unfortunately probably goes uncollected on an annual basis.