New PBS TV Synch Rates

Business

by Jeff and Todd Brabec

The Copyright Royalty judges have passed new regulations which control the royalty rates and terms for non-commercial broadcasting licenses. A summary follows.

Programs First Broadcast from 2008 to 2012:

Three-year license for the use of a song in a program:

$114.09 per feature performance

$57.66 per background performance

$34.26 per minute for a concert usage

$57.66 per theme (single program or first series program)

$23.41 per theme (other series program)

For example, if a song was sung by an actor on camera ("featured use") in a PBS program in 2008 through 2012, the fee would be $114.09.

If a song was used as background music, the fee would be $57.66.

And if a song was used as a theme for a series, the sync fees charged the producer would be $57.66 for the first program and $23.41 for each subsequent episode.

As with all television sync fees, the publisher of the song would pay the songwriter a minimum of half of the monies received.

Additionally, if the program is still being broadcast on PBS stations after the initial three-year license has expired, a further payment of 25% of the original fees will be paid by the show's producer for an additional one-year license, a 50% payment for another three-year license, with 25% payments due for each succeeding three-year period during which the show is aired.

Rather than paying fees every three years, producers also have the option of paying an additional 100% fee prior to the end of the initial three-year period. If this payment is made, the producer will be entitled to use the song in that program indefinitely.

This article is based on information contained in the new, revised paperback edition of the book "Music, Money, And Success: The Insider's Guide To Making Money In The Music Business" written by Jeffrey Brabec and Todd Brabec (Published by Schirmer Trade Books/Music Sales). www.musicandmoney.com