BMI

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Azoff PRO challenges ASCAP/BMI, seeks better rates for songwriters

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Copyright has been the hot-button topic of this year, and the role of performing rights organizations has been a central topic of debate. While some of the top publishers like Sony and Universal Music Group are looking for a chance to break from the outside management of their compositions by ASCAP and BMI, the top two PROs embroiled in consent decree rules, there is still some opportunity for shuffling within that business and legal infrastructure. Continue Reading →

Rumor Fact(ory): Sony split from ASCAP/BMI could come by year’s end

Posted on by Anna Washenko

As the Department of Justice weighs what to do about digital performance rights, Sony/ATV/EMI has been making bold claims that it would consider leaving the collective licensing system in order to negotiate its own rates. According to The New York Post, that could be happening soon. The paper reported that Sony could split from ASCAP and BMI by the end of the year. Continue Reading →

BMI breaks royalty collection record; cable and satellite lead all sources

Posted on by Brad Hill

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), a performing rights organization that collects and distributes music royalties on behalf of publishers and composers, announced record-breaking revenue and distribution for the fiscal year ended June 30. Revenue totaled $977-million, and royalty distributions were accounted at $840-million. Continue Reading →

Cable TV lobby and Netflix weigh in on music industry’s consent decrees

Posted on by Anna Washenko

This year’s big debate over consent decrees has consequences for more than just the music industry. Today, concerns over consent decrees led to a surprising agreement between long-standing enemies. The National Cable & Telecommunications Association made a submission to the DoJ calling for the regulations to stay in place. Continue Reading →

BMI and ASCAP speak out in favor of revised consent decrees; NAB disagrees

Posted on by Anna Washenko

BMI submitted a statement to the Department of Justice earlier this week with its proposed changes to the consent decree rules that govern collective licensing. The group’s main argument was that music publishers should be allowed to chose which rights they negotiate through the performing rights organizations. ASCAP echoed BMI’s sentiments in its own filing on Thursday. Continue Reading →

BMI partners with iBiquity for artist spotlight program

Posted on by Anna Washenko

Music rights organization BMI has entered a partnership with iBiquity, the developer of HD Radio. The two parties will launch a new program called the HD Radio Artist Spotlight, which is intended to help promote new artists and support established ones on tour. The spotlight’s launch will focus on five of BMI’s country music acts. Continue Reading →

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U.S. government announces review of music licensing system

Posted on by Brad Hill

In 1941, the U.S. Justice Department set up a music licensing system that still governs publishers, composers, and songwriters. Today, the Justice Department announced its intention to review the 73-year-old laws and consider changing them. At stake — how publishers negotiate royalty payments, how much money music creators earn, and costs to streaming music services. Continue Reading →