In response to the announcement by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that it has completed its multi-year review of antitrust consent decrees regulating two of the nation’s largest music performing rights organizations, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith:
“Local radio and television broadcasters strongly support the Justice Department’s decision not to modify the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees. We appreciate the hard work of the DOJ during its diligent, comprehensive review and believe that this decision will ensure that ASCAP and BMI continue to fairly and efficiently license musical works in a manner that is pro-competitive. Broadcasters look forward to continuing our close relationship with these performance rights organizations, which have worked to the mutual benefit of songwriters, music licensees, and listeners around the world for decades.”
In comments submitted to the DOJ last month, NAB and the Television Music License Committee (TVMLC) expressed their support for the proposed conclusion that no changes were warranted to the consent decrees. Under the current system, radio broadcasters pay $350 million and local television broadcasters some $150 million to songwriters and their music publishers every year.