Detailed statements
With the distribution dated April 1st 2026, the royalty distribution statements will be provided in the new Version 2.3.
The aim of the new version is to achieve greater clarity, consistency and transparency within the datasets across all categories. The structure of the compact statement remains unchanged.
Starting from June 1, 2025, we are providing royalty distribution statements in a consolidated structure. You can recognize the new statements by the version numbers 2.0 (as of June 1, 2025), 2.1 (from July 1, 2025), 2.2 (from November 1, 2025) and 2.3 (from April 1, 2026).
Older statements (up to and including April 1, 2025) will only be available in version 1.0.
Overview of the different versions:
From version 2.1 onwards, all detailed statements will only be available in the dataset descriptions consolidated per usage area.
The data specifications can be accessed in our specifications.
Version 1.0
detailed statements: all categories in separate dataset descriptions (16 different ones)
Version 2.0
detailed statements: one dataset description for LIVE (instead 4)
Version 2.1
detailed statements: one dataset description for TV/Film (instead of 4), one for Online (instead of 5)
Version 2.2
detailed statements: -
Version 2.3
detailed statements: various adjustments (see below).
Frequently Asked Questions
The new version of the data format introduces harmonisation across usage categories. Outdated fields were removed, terminology was standardised — such as renaming Verteilungsart to Verteilart — and important new information was added, for example the new “original statement number”, now included across all relevant usage categories.
Additionally, adjustments were made in individual usage areas to prepare, for example, for the distribution category “Festival” or for the categories related to sound carriers (GT/MT).
Some changes serve the purpose of harmonization, while others are simply required to incorporate important new elements — for example, representing the “type of gig” resulting from the new festival distribution.
These changes apply to all detailed statements from 01 April 2026 onwards (Version 2.3). Older statements will continue to be available, but only in the version that was valid at the time of their distribution.
There are several reasons for this:
Fidelity to the original:
Older files reflect the state of the data at a specific point in time. Converting them to a new structure could lead to unintended changes or data loss, affecting the integrity and authenticity of the original data.
Traceability:
In many applications, especially in research or audits, it is crucial to have the data exactly as it was originally recorded. Changes to the structure could make this traceability difficult.
Resource expenditure:
Converting large amounts of historical data to a new format requires significant resources, both in terms of time and computing power. This effort may not be proportional to the benefit, especially if the old data is rarely used.
Risk of errors:
There is always a risk of errors during conversion, which could lead to data distortions. This could have serious consequences, especially if the data is used for critical decisions.
Compatibility:
Older systems or software that rely on the old data structures might have trouble handling the new structures. This could require additional adjustments and testing.
If you process the detailed statements automatically, we recommend adjusting this process to the new data format. Otherwise, not all information will be captured correctly. This is particularly relevant for publishers who import detailed statements into their systems via an interface.
The following adaptations were implemented in Version 2.3:
Harmonisation across usage categories
- Removal of outdated fields
- New field: “original statement number” across all relevant categories
ONLINE
- Removal of the fields “distribution code” and “debit/credit adjustment”
- Revised title logic for a clear separation between series titles and episode titles
- New field: “production type”
Foreign (A)
- Removal of outdated fields: “distribution indicator” and “sequence number to distribution indicator”
LIVE
- New field: “type of gig” to reflect festival-related distribution (e.g., “headliner”)
Sound Carrier (new categories MT / GT)
- With the introduction of the new categories GT (Mixed content on physical media) and MT (Music on physical media), a completely new dataset structure is being introduced. It broadly resembles the “old” phono structure but has been streamlined by removing several fields and adding two new columns:
- Removal of multiple obsolete fields (e.g., amount (gross), commission data, NWC, revenue type)
- Introduction of new fields: “collections allocation”, “product title”
As of June 1, 2025 (Version 2.0):
Compact Statements: The "Type of repertoire" has been added in the last column:
Detailed statements:
LIVE:
Instead of the previous four dataset descriptions (DK, E, U, and M), there is now a unified description for the entire "Live" usage area in a slightly adjusted order.
TV/Film:
As of November 1, 2025, we will distribute the new category "Media Libraries." The new information for this category has been integrated into a new dataset description for the "TV/Film" usage area, which also includes information for T as well as FS and T FS.
Online:
Instead of the previous five dataset descriptions (GOP, MOD D, MOD S, VOD D/VOD S, WEB), there is now a unified description for the entire "Online" usage area in a slightly adjusted order.
Please note that due to the unification, table columns from other categories may also be listed, but they will remain unfilled if they are not relevant to the respective category.
For example, this case, regarding columns solely meant for media libraries:
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the detailed statements or the GEMA distributions in general, our service team will be happy to help at any time.
Please use the following subject line: New data record descriptions.