Feds to Scrutinize Univision and Alpha Media's Music Royalties
Published Date: 2/18/2025
Notice
Summary
SoundExchange is planning to audit the royalty payments made by Alpha Media LLC and Univision Communications Inc. for 2022, 2023, and 2024. If you’re one of these commercial webcasters, get ready for a close look at your payment records to make sure everything adds up. This could affect how royalties are tracked and paid, so keep an eye on deadlines and details!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Alpha Media LLC: Royalty Audit Notice
On January 31, 2025, SoundExchange filed a notice to audit Alpha Media LLC's royalty statements for the calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Copyright Royalty Judges published this notice in the Federal Register on February 18, 2025.
Univision: Royalty Audit Notice
On January 31, 2025, SoundExchange filed a notice to audit Univision Communications Inc.'s royalty statements for the calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Copyright Royalty Judges published this notice in the Federal Register on February 18, 2025.
Collective Audits: Once-Per-Year, Three-Year Lookback
The notice reiterates that SoundExchange, as the designated Collective, may conduct an audit of a licensee only once per year and may audit any or all of the prior three calendar years to verify royalty payments. SoundExchange must file a notice of intent to audit with the Copyright Royalty Judges and deliver that notice to the licensee before conducting the audit.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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The Copyright Royalty Judges (Judges) announce the commencement of proceedings to determine distribution of 2023 royalties deposited with the Copyright Office under the satellite carrier license. The Judges also set the date by which all parties wishing to participate and share in the distribution of satellite retransmission royalties for 2023, must file Petitions to Participate and pay the accompanying $150 filing fee. The Judges seek a single Petition to Participate in either or both the allocation phase and the distribution phase of the satellite royalty proceeding. Any party that fails to file a petition to participate by the time set forth in this notice shall not be a participant at any stage of either proceeding, unless the Judges accept a late petition to participate pursuant to 37 CFR 351.1(d).
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2026-16707, Distribution of 2023 Cable Royalty Funds
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2026-13996, Determination of Rates and Terms for Making and Distributing Phonorecords (Phonorecords V)
Starting in 2028, new rules will set how much music makers pay to copy and share songs on CDs, vinyl, and digital formats until 2032. Musicians, record companies, and streaming services will all feel the impact as royalty rates and terms get updated. If you want to speak up, you’ve got until August 10, 2026, to send in your comments!
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