Published 1/5/07
A change in the distribution of TV broadcast royalties is due to come into action in July
The Performing Right Society (PRS) are changing the way that TV royalties are distributed. The new policy, due to be phased in from July 2007, will mean that the per-minute payout for most TV broadcasts will be reduced, while 'prime-time' pay-outs (between 6pm and midnight) will be increased.
The PRS claim that the change in policy is due to the reduction in value of the 'music minute', which applies to a minute of music played on a TV channel, as a result of more and more material being played on TV channels, and a rise in off-peak music usage on TV. Thus, the revenue collected from broadcasters' blanket licenses is being "spread more thinly" amongst composers.
However, many PRS members are concerned that this change will adversely affect the majority of composers, with the benefits of the policy change (higher pay-outs during prime-time) only applying to the most successful members, who are already well-paid.
A dedicated web site, www.composersforafairdeal.com, contains an on-line petition, which PRS members can sign, to oppose the policy, or at least "put the proposal of slashing broadcast royalties for the overwhelming majority of members to a full vote of all the members".
www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
The PRS claim that the change in policy is due to the reduction in value of the 'music minute', which applies to a minute of music played on a TV channel, as a result of more and more material being played on TV channels, and a rise in off-peak music usage on TV. Thus, the revenue collected from broadcasters' blanket licenses is being "spread more thinly" amongst composers.
However, many PRS members are concerned that this change will adversely affect the majority of composers, with the benefits of the policy change (higher pay-outs during prime-time) only applying to the most successful members, who are already well-paid.
A dedicated web site, www.composersforafairdeal.com, contains an on-line petition, which PRS members can sign, to oppose the policy, or at least "put the proposal of slashing broadcast royalties for the overwhelming majority of members to a full vote of all the members".
www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
