Radio

Recorded Music NZ’s radio licences allow radio stations around the motu to broadcast and communicate sound recordings and music videos on their frequencies and websites.

Recorded Music NZ offers a range of licences for the use of sound recordings by radio broadcasters. Licence fees vary depending on the nature of the radio broadcaster and there is a published scheme in place (as set out below) for each of the following types of radio licensee: Commercial Radio Broadcasters (with annual gross income over and under $5M); Student Radio Broadcasters; the Iwi Radio Network; and Community Radio Broadcasters).

Commercial radio broadcasters with annual gross income over $5m

Licence scheme restated and effective from 7 December 2022–31 December 2026*

Broadcast & simulcast licence

Our Radio Broadcast and Simulcast Licence offers 2-tier licensing, based on the percentage of sound recordings used by a radio station.

*A licence can be issued for a minimum period of 2 years or up to the full term of 4 years plus an additional 25 days to line up with the end of a month. Please contact Christy Whelan for further detail of this restated licensing scheme.

Radio Broadcaster: Broadcast, simulcast & associated online rights communication licence

We also offer a licence granting broadcast and simulcast rights, along with further associated online rights. This combined licence is required when a broadcaster:

• Uses live video of radio simulcasts as visual programming on their website/s
• Communicates music videos on a station’s website
• Hosts on-demand radio podcasts on a station’s website (please note there are certain restrictions)
• Streams previously broadcast content from a station’s website or permitted platforms

Radio broadcasters with annual gross income less than $5m

LICENCE SCHEME RESTATED & EFFECTIVE FROM 1 APRIL 2023–31 MARCH 2027*

*While the licensing scheme for less than $5m Gross Income radio operators is for a term of 4 years, a licensee can elect to take up a lesser term of 2 years only if preferred.

Recorded Music has been in contact directly with all licensees who have current licence agreements under the prior licensing scheme to confirm their ongoing licensing arrangements, certain limited amendments to the terms and conditions of their respective licence agreements and request they elect their preference as to the term of licence i.e. 4 years or 2 years.

If you are a new licensee, please contact alisha.jackson@recordedmusic.co.nz for further detail of this restated and renewed licensing scheme.

These new form of licences are the same as those operative under the prior scheme except for the following limited amendments:

Updated Recital D: Recorded Music has declared a new radio licensing scheme to take effect from 1 April 2023 (Scheme). [SI1] The Scheme enables radio networks with gross income less than $NZ5m to take out a primary Terrestrial Radio Broadcast and Radio Simulcast agreement as well as a further optional agreement in respect of certain online rights over and above Radio Simulcast.

• New clauses 4.1-4.3 (inclusive) to replace existing clauses 4.1 and 4.2: 4.1 Period: Subject to the provisions of clause 4.2 following, the Licence granted pursuant to this agreement shall be for a period of 4 [or 2] further years, commencing on 1 April 2023 and ending on 31 March 2027 [or 31 March 2025 if only 2 years is preferred] [provided that the Licensee may, by providing written notice to Recorded Music, terminate that part of this agreement as to the on-line rights listed in clauses 2.1(c) to 2.1(f) inclusive at least one calendar month prior to the expiration of each year of this agreement i.e. on or before 28 February 2024.] [This latter part of clause 4.1 only applies to those licensees who have taken up the additional online rights]. 4.2 Continuing Payment until further scheme declared or further agreement made etc.: The parties agree that, at the expiration of the Term (on the basis the Licensee continues to use the Controlled Content without all necessary agreements in place with all requisite Rights Holders), and until a new scheme is declared; a new agreement entered into between the parties; or a reference filed by either one of them in the Copyright Tribunal, this agreement will continue, including, without limitation, the obligation on the part of the Licensee to pay Recorded Music the Licence Fee as required under this agreement. 4.3 Acknowledgement: The parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions of clause 4.2 are solely to facilitate and allow for a continuation of the licensing relationship existing between them without requiring month-by-month extension agreements to be entered into between them while they renegotiate the terms and conditions of this Licence or as otherwise anticipated by clause 4.2.

Please note, all Low Power FM Radio Broadcasters are licensed through OneMusic.