Royalty Remix: CRB Sets Satellite Radio Rates for 2028-2032 Tunes
Published Date: 12/31/2025
Notice
Summary
The Copyright Royalty Board is kicking off a process to set fair prices and rules for satellite radio and certain subscription music services from 2028 to 2032. Companies that want to join this rate-setting game must file a petition and pay a $150 fee by January 30, 2026. This means new costs and terms are on the horizon for these music services, so everyone’s gearing up for the next five years of tunes and tech.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Rate-setting for 2028–2032 music services
The Copyright Royalty Judges have started a proceeding to determine reasonable rates and terms for the digital performance of sound recordings and ephemeral recordings by satellite radio and “preexisting” subscription services for the period January 1, 2028 through December 31, 2032.
$150 petition filing fee and deadline
If you want to participate in the rate proceeding, you must file a Petition to Participate and pay a $150 filing fee by January 30, 2026.
Mandatory eCRB form filing (no uploads)
Petitions to Participate must be completed and filed using the Copyright Royalty Board’s eCRB online form at https://app.crb.gov/ and the fee must be paid in eCRB; parties must not upload a petition document.
Who may represent parties in proceedings
Only attorneys admitted to the bar in one or more states or the District of Columbia and members in good standing may represent parties before the Judges; only individuals may represent themselves without legal counsel (see 37 CFR 303.2).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06055 — Adjustment to Sound Recordings by New Subscription Services and Ephemeral Recordings To Facilitate Those Performances License 2026 Royalty Rates
Starting January 1, 2026, new subscription music services will pay slightly higher royalties for playing songs online, thanks to a cost-of-living update. These changes, effective through 2030, adjust fees based on inflation to keep payments fair for artists and rights holders. If you run or use these services, expect a small bump in what you pay or earn starting March 30, 2026.
2026-04633 — Determination of Rates and Terms for Digital Performance of Sound Recordings and Making of Ephemeral Copies To Facilitate Those Performances (Web VI)
Starting January 1, 2026, certain public radio stations will follow new rules for paying royalties when they play music online and make temporary copies to do so. These rules, agreed upon by major players like NPR and SoundExchange, set clear rates and terms through 2030, helping everyone know what to expect. The changes kick in March 10, 2026, and could affect how much stations pay for digital music performances.
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Starting January 1, 2026, new subscription services that play music as part of cable or satellite TV bundles will follow fresh rules on how much they pay for digital music performances and temporary copies. These rules, effective through 2030, set clear rates and terms agreed upon by major music and service players, making sure artists and rights holders get fair pay. If you’re a streaming service or music rights owner, these changes mean smoother, fairer payments for the next five years.
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Starting January 1, 2026, new rules set how much Educational Media Foundation pays for playing music online and making temporary copies to do it. These rules last until the end of 2030 and come from a deal everyone agreed on, so no one objected. This means clearer costs and terms for digital music use, effective March 10, 2026.
2026-04632 — Determination of Rates and Terms for Digital Performance of Sound Recordings and Making of Ephemeral Copies To Facilitate Those Performances (Web VI)
Starting January 1, 2026, commercial broadcasters will follow new rules for paying royalties when they play music online without subscriptions. These rules set fair rates and terms for digital performances and temporary copies of songs, lasting through 2030. This means broadcasters and music rights groups like SoundExchange have a clear, agreed plan for sharing money from digital music plays.
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Starting January 1, 2026, noncommercial educational webcasters will follow new rules for paying to play music online, lasting through 2030. These updated rates and terms come from a deal between music rights groups and college broadcasters, making sure artists get fair pay while schools keep streaming. The changes kick in on March 10, 2026, so webcasters should get ready to follow the new payment rules.
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Previous: 2025-24072 — Determination of Rates and Terms for Public Broadcasting (PB V)
The Copyright Royalty Board is starting a process to set fair rates and rules for how public broadcasters use copyrighted works from 2028 to 2032. Anyone interested in joining this decision must file a petition and pay a $150 fee by January 30, 2026. This affects public broadcasting groups and creators, shaping how money flows for using creative content over the next five years.
Next: 2025-24074 — Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Certification by School Official
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