So.... I guess what it comes down to is who you ask.

While the writer of the story referenced, claims there can be "a radical difference" between 2 writers with different PRO's, however, that is generally not the case. (define radical difference) If that was common, you can bet someone would be looking into it and lawsuits would abound. There can also be other kinds of things in each writer's placement sheet that causes the difference. Figuring out some of the writers royalties is, I'm sure, an exercise in chaos theory calculations.

Both BMI and ASCAP pay about the same amount. Yes, they use different formulas to calculate your payments and that may introduce a difference between 2 writers on the same songs on the same usage schedule. I'd wager the differences are generally a small percentage at best.

http://diymusicbiz.com/ascap-or-bmi-which-one-is-best/

If there was a huge difference, you can best believe the word would be on the street and you would see hundreds of writers dumping the one that pays less to join the one that pays more, and that's not happening.

I have heard that one or the other is better depending on the kind of writing you do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKhX_e57sPg

I chose to go with BMI based on nothing in particular other than it was free to join as a writer. To me it was simply a coin toss decision as to which was better or would pay more. I had researched both and found nothing bad about either. It cost $50 to join ASCAP as a writer and BMI was free.

My royalty checks from BMI are fairly small but they come on a regular basis and they account for some placesments that earn as little as 5 cents for each usage (the short cues of a few seconds each).

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.