Big news on music licensing for Radio & TV alike
posted on 11.01.2016Broadcasters got a nice “October surprise” on the music licensing front, with the NAB and the TV Music Licensing Committee announcing back-to-back agreements with different entities to streamline the compliance process and, in TV’s case, save some money – at least on legal costs.
The NAB announcement centers on a waiver agreement with Sony Music Entertainment that will once again enable radio stations to stream Sony-licensed music unhindered by certain restrictions established by the statutory music streaming license.
The provisions do not change a web-casting station’s obligation to pay royalties and make certain filings to SoundExchange, but they will make it easier for radio broadcasters to comply with some of the lesser known eligibility conditions in the statutory license granting the right to perform sound recordings digitally.
Broadcasters must register for the NAB’s Sony Waiver Opt-In which is open to all broadcasters, not just NAB members. Noncommercial stations can participate, too.
TAB’s point-person on music licensing rules, David Oxenford with Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP, provides this overview of what radio stations need to know about the agreement.
As Oxenford notes, the NAB has not yet announced agreements with Universal Music, or with any association representing the major independent labels.
TV Music Licensing Committee
Just ahead of the NAB, the TVMLC announced a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with SESAC outlining the key terms to be included in final, local television station blanket and per program license agreements running from Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2019.
Questions? Contact TAB's Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.
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