[Fmpro] The Royalties are Right! (was: The role of managers re: royalties?)

[Mark Northam]

Hi Lynne -

Glad to see you're getting to see this for yourself. Note that question 1
for our friends at ASCAP was:
> 1. "Can you tell me why a minute of score music on TV is only paid 20% of
> what a minute of song on the same program is paid by ASCAP?"

And you said Greg from ASCAP answered:

> However, Greg
> did answer the first question and the answer is it depends on the Network,
> whether it is local or broadcast; depends on station.

Oooohhhh, I'm sorry, but Greg is mistaken.

[Cue "The Price is Right" trombone slide-down losing music]

The ASCAP weighting rule that specifies that a one minute score cue on
television be paid only 20% of what a one minute song is paid is constant
and does not change based on the network or station.

Certainly the network and station size do affect the payment amounts, but
the 20% ratio remains the same regardless of the size of the network or
station.... Whether a one minute song is paid $100 on one station or $1000
on another, a minute of score will only get 20% of whatever the minute of
song gets. 

Announcer: "But don't worry, there will be nine more great quiz questions
here on "The Royalties are Right!". And remember, the only real losers on
today's show are the composers who don't write lyrics and get shafted to the
tune of 80% on royalties for a one minute score cue compared to what is paid
for a one-minute song on television. Come on Down!!!"


Best,

Mark Northam