We haven’t written much about Irving Azoff’s Global Music Rights Organization, lately, nor have we really heard how much radio companies were paying under agreements they work out with the new PRO. Until Thursday.
Urban One CFO Peter Thompson said GMR is imposing $250,000 per quarter on the company for the rights to broadcast GMR works on their radio stations. That’s in addition to the fees being paid to ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Currently, the RMLC is involved in a lawsuit with GMR, accusing the company of anti-competitive behavior. Stations and companies need an interim license from GMR or face the possibility of paying $150,000 per song.
Interim licenses that expired on 9/30/17 were extended by GMR to 3/31/18 at the same rates.
