Copyright Tribunal decrees second streaming fee for CRA at percentage or ‘per stream’ rate

A three-year battle between Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) and the Phonographic Company of Australia (PPCA) over streaming fees has concluded with a partial victory for the radio industry.

Arbitrator The Copyright Tribunal of Australia ruled commercial radio stations will have to pay a second fee to radio simulcast shows, but at a lower rate than the Phonographic Company of Australia was hoping for.

Prior to the ruling, 200 regional radio stations had closed down their online streaming services because they couldn’t afford to pay the higher fee being asked for.

The new ‘hybrid’ scheme gives radio stations a choice of paying royalties per stream or as a percentage of revenue.