[BC] Agreement Reached on Online Streaming Rates for Local Radio Broadcasters

[Reader]

This should make all webcasters happy:

AGREEMENT REACHED ON ONLINE STREAMING RATES
FOR LOCAL RADIO BROADCASTERS

-- SoundExchange and National Association of Broadcasters Set New Terms
for Streaming Rates and Extend Agreement Through 2015 --

WASHINGTON, D.C. - SoundExchange and the National Association of 
Broadcasters (NAB) announced today a comprehensive agreement on 
Internet streaming rates for local radio stations that simulcast 
programming over the Internet or that create new stand-alone Internet 
stations. The agreement provides discounts on previously-set rates 
for 2009 and 2010 and establishes rates for 2011-2015, providing 
stations with an enhanced ability to serve listeners through online 
platforms. Additionally, NAB has reached separate agreements with 
individual record label groups that waive certain statutory format 
restrictions allowing, for example, certain artists to be played more 
often during a four hour period.

The agreement was reached under the authority of the Webcaster 
Settlement Act of 2008 (H.R. 7080) and covers simulcasts over the 
Internet of all copyrighted commercially-released musical performances.

"Because of the explosive growth of music on the Internet, this is 
good news for everyone involved in music - from artists to labels to 
broadcasters and to fans," said John Simson, Executive Director of 
SoundExchange. "It provides radio stations more opportunity to grow 
their on-line businesses in a stable business environment. 
Furthermore, it gives artists and copyright holders the opportunity 
to have more of their music played, while being fairly compensated, 
in more places as radio services expand their offerings on the Internet."

"Today's announcement provides local radio stations with the ability 
to enhance their local service with an online component, boosting 
listeners' access to music, local news and information," said NAB 
Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton. "By ensuring the continued 
viability of Internet streaming for America's radio stations, today's 
agreement further strengthens the relationship between free, local 
radio and our 235 million weekly listeners."

Under the agreement, rates for simulcasts or web channels operated by 
local radio stations are reduced in 2009 and 2010 by approximately 16 
percent, then gradually increase through 2015 - from $0.0015 per 
streamed sound recording in 2009 to $0.0025 per stream by 2015.

By entering this agreement, SoundExchange and the NAB provide 
business certainty for broadcasters, artists and copyright holders as 
they explore and invest in the new possibilities the Internet 
provides to bring music to its many fans.