WASHINGTON, D.C. (CelebrityAccess) — SoundExchange has requested a major jump in rates for Sirius XM’s satellite radio service as well as for the cable/satellite TV music services provided by Music Choice and Muzak.
In its testimony and rate proposal in the SDARS III rate proceeding which helps the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) set rates for the years 2018-2022, SoundExchange proposed a rate that is the greater of 23% of revenue and per subscriber rates starting at $ 2.48 per subscriber per month in 2018 with moderate annual increases.
The current rates for Sirius XM’s satellite radio service are 10.5% of Sirius XM’s Gross Revenues as the CRB’s regulations define that term) in 2016 and 11% in 2017. For Music Choice and Muzak, SoundExchange proposed a per subscriber per month rate starting at $ 0.019 per subscriber per month with annual increases.
SoundExchange bolstered its proposal with testimony from a slate of economists, representatives of recording artists, major labels and indie labels and other experts in the field.
SoundExchange's request for a sharp increase is just one of several steps in the rate proceedings and the various stakeholders will not compare notes and proposals and seek to rebut each other, with a closing date of February 19th. The CRB will hold a hearing beginning April 19, 2017, which will last several weeks. After a final briefing by the parties, the CRB will issue its rate determination by December 15, 2017. – Staff Writers
