Pay the Fees or Block US Listeners

The 2020 fee schedule for internet broadcasters transmitting licensed music to listeners in the United States has increased substantially for small broadcasters. Your options are to follow the new schedule (described below) or to completely block US listeners.

If you’re broadcasting through Primcast, we can set your station to block all US listeners, or guide you to getting your station legal, by acquiring the appropriate licenses. New customers, call or chat with us for a free consultation.

***Worship Broadcasters, please scroll to bottom***

Royalty Fees for Internet Broadcasters

Any internet broadcaster streaming licensed music to users in the United States, must get licensed by all three Performance Right Organizations, BMI, ASCAP and SESAC. In addition, a recording performance license is required from SoundExchange.

To sum it all up, you must be licensed by BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and SoundExchange to legally broadcast online through your website or mobile app.

As an example a startup station with no revenue and minimal yearly impressions will still have to pay a minimum upfront fee of $1492 to get licensed by all 4 entities above. Your upfront fee will be used as credit for your fees incurred throughout the year. Additional fees may be due based on your revenue and number of impressions.

Please see the fee schedule below in order to estimate your royalty fees for 2020.

Reporting

Each of the entities below requires monthly or quarterly reports for gross revenue and or number of impressions. Primcast provides the monthly royalty reports required, however financial reports must be provided by your organization.