Radio stations have had a new deal with ASCAP, and now they can bookend it with a new BMI deal that backtracks to 2010 and runs through 2016.
Saga’s Ed Christian, who serves as Chairman of the Radio Music License Committee, explained, “It is a vote of confidence towards our industry that BMI has agreed to return to the historic percentage-of-revenue fee structure. Once the agreement with BMI is approved by the Court, radio broadcasters will continue to nurture their longstanding relationships with the performing rights organizations. We will work together to solve mutual problems in an ever-changing environment of both radio and intellectual property rights as it relates to authors, composers and publishers.”
Highlights of the agreement include:
* A $70.5 million industry fee credit against 2010-2011 industry payments;
* A 1.7%-of-gross-revenue fee structure (with simplified revenue reporting) for stations on the blanket music format license, less a standard deduction of 12% for revenue derived from terrestrial/analog and HD multicasting broadcasts and a 25% deduction for revenue attributable to new media uses;
* Retention of the program-period license that benefits many talk-format stations, with a base fee of 0.2958% of gross revenue, less the same deductions noted above; and
* Expanded rights coverage to accommodate the industry’s developing new media platforms related to Internet websites, smart phones and other wireless devices.
RMLC added color to the credit mentioned above. It said, “The impact of this settlement will be reflected immediately with BMI’s June 2012 billing statements. The practical effect of the $70.5 million credit adjustment is that many stations will have a BMI credit balance available for the remainder of this year.”
BMI’s Michael Steinberg was also happy with the deal. He said, “BMI is so proud to represent the world’s best songwriters, composers and music publishers and their incredible contributions to the success of American radio. This agreement allows us to move forward without the cost and uncertain outcome of further litigation. While fees will be lower than the prior final agreement, the return to a percentage-of-revenue license will allow us to grow BMI revenues as the radio industry rebounds.”
