ASCAP and RMLC Settle Rate Court Proceeding

New York, NY, Aug. 19, 2025: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) today announced a new settlement agreement with the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) that secures higher rates payable by almost 10,000 of America's commercial terrestrial radio stations to publicly perform more than 20 million musical works in the ASCAP repertory. The ASCAP repertory includes the vast array of music that keeps radio's listeners tuning in, from today's Top Ten hits to classic songs across all genres of music.

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews commented: "This deal locks in an important royalty stream for our members at higher rates. It will deliver enhanced benefits, payments and financial certainty to ASCAP songwriters, composers and publishers, which is important to ensuring their creative and economic health and security now and in the future."

The settlement agreement includes year-over-year increases in the percentage of revenue rate paid by radio stations to publicly perform music by ASCAP members and better reflects the ways in which AM/FM radio stations in the US currently broadcast and transmit music to their listeners, while recognizing the distinctions between the terrestrial radio industry and internet music services.

ASCAP represents more than one million songwriters, composers and music publisher members. Founded and governed by songwriter, composer and publisher members, ASCAP is the only performing rights organization in the U.S. that operates on a not-for-profit making basis and does not have outside investors or private equity ownership. ASCAP delivers 90 cents of every dollar collected back to its members as royalties, ensuring that ASCAP songwriters and publishers are the sole beneficiaries of revenues collected by ASCAP.

ASCAP thanks the members of the RMLC Licensing Committee for their time and attention to this important agreement.

About ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than one million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world's most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected to its members as royalties and has the lowest overhead rate of any U.S. PRO. In 2024, ASCAP reported record-high financial results of $1.835 billion in revenues and $1.696 billion available in royalty distribution monies to its members. Over the last eight years, ASCAP has delivered a 7% compound annual growth rate for total revenues, and an 8% compound annual growth rate for total royalty distributions to members. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees, and identifies, matches, processes and pays royalties to its members for trillions of performances every year. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at https://www.ascap.com, on Xand Instagram@ASCAP and on Facebook.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Iossa, ASCAP

liossa(at)ascap.com

Cathy Nevins, ASCAP