[Fmpro] BBC pt 2

[LesHurdle]

*Definitions of consumption and reach:

‘Music consumption’ is the amount of listening being carried out ie  
actual listening by audience and time spent listening. This is also  
sometimes referred to as the ‘share’ of listening. Music consumption  
also takes account of the amount of music used per station as a  
percentage of total broadcasting time.

Reach is the number of potential listeners to each service. This is  
also sometimes referred to as the ‘population’ or ‘Total Survey  
Area’ (TSA).


omments on the BBC radio distribution policy change


‘These distribution changes were agreed after a lengthy and complex  
review of all radio per-minute values and mean that your Society is  
better placed to cope fairly and equitably with the increasingly  
multi-platform nature of broadcasting.’

Ellis Rich, Independent Music Group and Chairman of PRS



‘The PRS review and subsequent implementation of its BBC radio  
revenue apportionment is great news for the Black & Asian Music  
Sector. With research confirming a rise in the music consumption and  
audience reach of stations such as 1Xtra and the BBC Asian Networks,  
it’s only fair that composers, authors and writer/producers within  
this sector benefit financially from the increased use of their  
music. Alongside PRS’ commitment to ensuring that as much radio  
revenue as possible is paid out on ‘census’ and not ‘sample’, I  
believe, signifies a positive outcome for members as a whole.’

Paulette Long, Westbury Music and PRS board member



‘This is going to be painful for my company and the classical genre  
of music, but I do understand why it needs to be done. The new  
distribution method does recognise the unique reach and listenership  
of Radio 3 and its BBC public service remit and does it in an open  
and straightforward way. The impact has been phased over 3 years. As  
the publisher most affected by this decision, I can’t say I am happy  
about it but I am a firm believer in collective rights licensing and  
negotiation and I do believe that PRS recognises its own important  
role in nurturing classical composition. The arguments we made were  
reflected in this new agreement and we now have a transparent and  
open radio distribution policy for all members.’

John Minch, Boosey & Hawkes and MCPS board director



‘The overriding principle underpinning this decision is to achieve  
the fairest possible outcome for the whole of the PRS membership. The  
two statistically based starting points - audience share and reach -  
which combine to produce the resulting rates, are both measurable and  
incontestable. The new policy more accurately ensures the correct  
levels of royalties are paid to all members.’

David Ferguson, composer, Chair of the British Academy of Composers &  
Songwriters and PRS and MCPS board director



‘Having listened to the board deliberations I am confident that these  
changes represent the fairest and most transparent method of  
allocating future BBC royalties to our members’

Nigel Elderton, peermusic UK, Chair of the Music Publishers  
Association and PRS and MCPS board director



'I am very pleased to hear that PRS will be paying more money out for  
performances on 1Xtra and the BBC Asian Network. It means that  
writers in the black and Asian music world will benefit financially  
from the serious increase in popularity of both these stations.'

Sway (Derek Safo)



‘I am genuinely excited about the new policy particularly in relation  
to the improvement in royalty rates from digital stations like 6  
Music. The breadth and depth of the music played on this station  
means that many sections of our membership – and both new and  
established writers– will benefit greatly from more substantial  
royalty payments.’

Steve Levine, songwriter, producer, broadcaster, PRS and MCPS board  
director