paidContent - Public Radio, Music Industry Reach Agreement On Online Royalty Rates
This story was written by Joseph Tartakoff.
Another week, another agreement on web streaming royalty rates. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has reached a deal with SoundExchange, which collects royalties on behalf of the music industry, to compensate artists and rights owners whose content is streamed on the web by public radio stations. The CPB will pay SoundExchange at least $2.4 million between 2011 and 2015. That amount will go up, if “usage exceeds expectations.” That’s below market value, in a nod to the “special public service mission and non-commercial nature” of public radio, according to a statement the two parties issued.
The deal follows others SoundExchange has reached recently on web streaming royalty rates with College Broadcasters, SIRIUS-XM, and the National Religious Broadcasters Music License Committee. The music industry was also able to finally reach an agreement last month with “pureplay” internet broadcasters, such as Pandora, over royalty rates.
By Joseph Tartakoff