Public Radio Stations Face New Digital Music Royalty Rules Through 2030
Published Date: 3/10/2026
Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Fixed annual lump-sum royalty schedule
From January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030, the total license fee for website performances by Public Broadcasters is a fixed lump sum: $950,000 for 2026, $975,000 for 2027, $1,000,000 for 2028, $1,025,000 for 2029, and $1,050,000 for 2030. This fee applies to all covered website performances up to a Music Aggregate Tuning Hours (Music ATH) cap of 310,000,000 per year. The Final Rule is effective March 10, 2026.
Advance payment schedule and fallback payers
CPB must pay the yearly License Fee in advance, with the first payment due December 31, 2025, and annual advance payments due December 31 each year through December 31, 2029. If CPB cannot pay for a year it may nominate NPR or a third party by written notice before December 1, and that nominee must accept by December 15 and pay by December 31 of the preceding year. If the Collective does not receive the License Fee by the December 31 deadline, the subpart’s terms are unavailable that year and individual Public Broadcasters making website performances must pay applicable royalties under subparts A and B.
Limits on contractors and enforcement rights
A Public Broadcaster may hire a third party to deliver website performances, but any contract must require the contractor to follow the statutory licenses and this subpart, bar the contractor from making website performances or creating libraries on its own behalf, bar sublicensing, and make the Collective an intended third-party beneficiary with enforcement rights. The Collective can terminate treatment as a Public Broadcaster for a station that materially violates the rules, and if CPB fails to cure a material breach within 30 days the Collective may terminate rights for all Public Broadcasters.
5% allocation for ephemeral recordings
Under the rule, the Collective must credit 5% of all royalty payments under this subpart as payment for Ephemeral Recordings and allocate the remaining 95% to section 114 performance royalties. Ephemeral Recordings that are necessary and commercially reasonable for noninteractive digital transmissions are included in that 5% allocation.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16710, Distribution of Satellite Royalty Funds
The Copyright Royalty Judges solicit comments on a motion of Allocation Phase Parties for partial distribution of 2023 satellite royalty funds.
2026-16707, Distribution of 2023 Cable Royalty Funds
The Copyright Royalty Judges solicit comments on a motion of Allocation Phase Parties for partial distribution of 2023 cable royalty funds.
2026-16709, Distribution of Satellite Royalty Funds
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).
2026-16708, Distribution of 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!
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 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.
Next: 2026-04641, Geographic Targeting Order Imposing Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements on Certain Money Services Businesses Along the Southwest Border
Starting March 7, 2026, certain money services businesses along the U.S. southwest border must keep records and report cash transactions between $1,000 and $10,000. They also have to check the ID of anyone making these transactions. If you’re a business not covered before, you have until April 6, 2026, to get compliant—so get ready to track and report!