AM and FM Radio Do Not Pay Royalties to Artists — That’s Un-American: Guest Post by Senators Alex Padilla and Marsha Blackburn
variety.comVariety Staff Follow Us on Twitter Since the dawn of radio, the United States has been and remains the only major country in the world where terrestrial radio pays no royalties to performers or recorded-music copyright owners of the songs it plays.
While the more than 8,300 AM and FM stations across the country pay royalties to songwriters and publishers, they have never paid performers or copyright holders, although streaming services and satellite radio do.
The bipartisan American Music Fairness Act,which aims to address that situation, was introduced into the House of Representatives in 2021 and the Senate last year, by Senators Alex Padilla (D.-Calif.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).
Music is undeniably one of our nation’s greatest treasures, and one of our most significant exports. For a century, American musicians have created masterpieces that are enjoyed around the world, transcending language barriers, coloring key moments in history, and giving voice to cultural revolutions.
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