UK Media & Publishing Payments: Sector Significantly Outperforms National Average, But Disparities Persist

The Numbers

Companies Analysed: 36
Average PaymentCheck Score: 73.1/100
UK Average (all sectors): 50.0/100
Difference: Media & Publishing is 23.1 points above the UK average
Top Payer: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (99.4/100)
Bottom Payer: The Orion Publishing Group Limited (35.1/100)

What Stands Out

The UK's Media and Publishing sector significantly outperforms the national average for payment practices, suggesting generally healthy cash flow and a commitment to timely supplier payments. However, a nearly 65-point difference between the best and worst payers reveals stark internal inequalities. We can use this late payment calculator to work out late fees and compensation.

Best Payers

THE ASSOCIATED BOARD OF THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC - 99.4/100
SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT UK LIMITED - 96.3/100
FRONTLINE LIMITED - 94.5/100
WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC LIMITED - 94.3/100
WHICH? LIMITED - 92.8/100

Worst Payers

THE ORION PUBLISHING GROUP LIMITED - 35.1/100
WH SMITH TRAVEL LIMITED - 41/100
GARDNERS BOOKS LIMITED - 44.2/100
ASSOCIATED PRESS TELEVISION NEWS LIMITED - 47/100
WILLIAM WILSON LTD. - 49.3/100

Regional Patterns

While the sample sizes are very small, it's notable that the single company with an unknown region reported the same score (96.3) as Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited. Wales follows, with an average of 92.7, followed by West Midlands (88.3) and Yorkshire and The Humber (84.2). These regional comparisons are indicative at best, given the low number of companies reported per region, but may warrant further investigation with more data.

The data underscores a considerable performance gap; while the average score is 73.1, companies like The Orion Publishing Group Limited are lagging nearly 40 points behind.