Radio Stations Urged to Update Revenue Numbers with PRO’s

posted on 2.05.2024

- Music Licensing Committee Notes April 1 Deadline 

Commercial Radio stations have until April 1 to report their 2023 revenue to ASCAP, BMI and SESAC so the performance rights organizations can compute the hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties owed by broadcasters to musicians and other artists for the year. 

Such reporting is one of the many obligations that stations must observe under their music licensing agreements, and the Radio Music Licensing Committee underscores that failure to do so risks incurring substantial financial penalties.

Attorney David Oxenford with Wilkinson Barker Knauer, a TAB Associate Member, notes that Global Music Rights (GMR), which is not subject to antitrust restraints, does not use the same system for assessing rights fees for stations and may use metrics other than revenue to set royalties.  

“Check your individual agreement with GMR as to required reporting obligations,” Oxenford urges.

He advises that the revenue information for ASCAP, BMI and SESAC is reported through online portals that each group hosts, and each one is now open for the reporting of 2023 revenue.

ASCAP Portal
BMI Portal
SESAC Portal

Broadcasters experiencing any problems accessing a portal should contact their representative at the respective PRO.

Questions? Contact Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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