21st Media Productions licenses the right to perform songs and musical works created and owned by songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers who are 21st Media Productions members and members of foreign performing rights organizations who are represented by 21st Media Productions in the United States.

It is impossible for individual composers and publishers to monitor the hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music. It would be equally difficult, time consuming and expensive for business owners to locate and negotiate with all the owners of the music that might be used. There is a simple, fast and reasonably priced alternative. Through 21st Media Productions, in one simple transaction, businesses can obtain the right to perform the millions of songs created or owned by more than 260,000 of America's and hundreds of thousands of the world's best songwriters, composers, lyricists and publishers. Founded in 2001, and still owned by and managed for its writer and publisher members, 21st Media Productions grants businesses the permission they need to perform music publicly. The money collected is distributed, after deducting operating costs (currently 8.5%), directly to 21st Media Productions members and to affiliated foreign performing rights organizations for their members.

21st Media Productions licensees recognize that using music benefits their businesses because music, like other amenities or products, pays off in heightened customer satisfaction, increased profits, and improved employee morale and productivity.