Fees for internet radio broadcasting?

Question

I am interested in doing an internet-based radio service. I know there are a few groups you have to pay so you can get a license to use copyrighted (mainstream) music.

Does anyone happen to know approximately how much it costs (annually) to get the licenses to broadcast music?

Answer 1

As the saying goes, if you have to ask, you can't afford it. There is a very complicated formula that is used and it would be useless to try to explain it here. Mostly because by the time I tried to do so, it will have changed.

Let's just say it's more than you imagined and would probably put a quick halt to any plans you have to broadcast. Sorry, blame the labels, writers, publishers and even the artists.

-a guy named duh

Answer 2

Several services exist that deal with licensing net-casters.

Live 365 offers licensing with streaming services on a per month basis.  Live 365 has several plans that range from 35 USD a month for hobby broadcasters to several hundred a month for professionals.  The only catch is that you have to use the codecs they offer that I don't personally like (mp3 and mp3PRO).  If you are serious about broadcasting and want to make a business out of it, then the pro plans are for you.

LoudCity is another service that allows you to netcast.  If you want to run different stream codecs, like Vorbis, AAC (or ctAACplus), WMA (mms) or mp3, and have it hosted on a different server, then you can use them or swCast.  The only catch is that if you use adverts, you will need to apply for seperate licensing for the adverts (with LoudCity).  With both of them, in order to use their service, which actually they allow you to use their license, you have to direct listeners to their website to launch the stream.  They do this to track the stream to pay out royalites.

You can check out the services and contact them.  It's that or do all the paperwork and send in reports monthly/quarterly to ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and SoundExchange (which is a ripoff in my opinion).  Then you have to pay the fee each month/quarterly which are VERY expensive.