Educational Media Foundation's Streaming Royalties Locked In Until 2030
Published Date: 3/10/2026
Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Fixed Annual Royalties for EMF 2026–2030
Educational Media Foundation (the Licensee) must pay specified annual royalty amounts for the period 2026 through 2030: 2026 — $7,125,000.00 ($593,750.00 per month); 2027 — $7,410,000.00 ($617,500.00 per month); 2028 — $7,706,400.00 ($642,200.00 per month); 2029 — $8,014,656.00 ($667,888.00 per month); and 2030 — $8,335,242.24 ($694,603.52 per month). These amounts apply to all Eligible Transmissions and required Ephemeral Recordings for each calendar year.
Monthly Payment and Reporting Schedule
The Licensee must pay one-twelfth of the annual royalty each month on or before the fifteenth day of the month and submit a Statements of Account with each payment. The Licensee must also submit a monthly Report of Use reflecting actual total Performances by the 30th day after the end of the month. Payments must be in U.S. dollars and made by wire per the Collective's instructions.
5% Ephemeral / 95% Performance Allocation
The Collective must credit 5% of all royalty payments as payment for Ephemeral Recordings and credit the remaining 95% to section 114 performance royalties for each year during 2026–2030. Ephemeral Recordings that are necessary and commercially reasonable to make Eligible Transmissions are included in the 5%.
Distribution Rules and Three-Year Unclaimed Funds
The Collective (SoundExchange, Inc.) must promptly distribute royalties to Copyright Owners and Performers who provide necessary payee information. If the Collective cannot identify or locate a payee, it must hold the funds in a segregated trust account for three years from first distribution; after the three-year period, unclaimed funds may be applied to offset allowable costs under 17 U.S.C. 114(g)(3).
Audit Rights, Underpayment Interest, and Audit Costs
Entities entitled to payment or distribution may audit the Payor once per year covering any of the prior three calendar years. If an audit finds an underpayment, the Payor must remit the underpaid amount with interest at the rate in Sec. 380.2(d). The verifying entity pays audit costs unless the auditor finds a net underpayment of 10% or more, in which case the Payor must pay reasonable verification costs in addition to the underpayment.
Confidentiality Protections for Statements of Account
Statements of Account and related information may be designated Confidential Information. The Collective may use Confidential Information only for royalty collection/distribution and must limit access to employees, auditors, counsel, and rights holders under written confidentiality agreements. Recipients must safeguard Confidential Information using a reasonable standard of care.
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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
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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.
2026-04627 — Determination of Rates and Terms for Digital Performance of Sound Recordings by New Subscription Services and Making of Ephemeral Copies To Facilitate Those Performances (NSS V)
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.
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.
2026-04630 — 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, 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.
2025-21579 — Cost of Living Adjustment to Public Broadcasters Compulsory License Royalty Rate
Starting January 1, 2026, certain noncommercial college and university radio stations not linked to NPR will pay a slightly higher royalty fee for playing music from SESAC and GMR catalogs. This increase matches the cost of living rise or a minimum 1.5% bump, whichever is higher. The new rates kick in on November 28, 2025, and apply through the end of 2026, helping keep royalty payments fair and up-to-date.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04630 — 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, 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.
Next: 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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