JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Industry Message Forum Royalties and the PRO's...

I was talking on the phone to an ASCAP rep who was trying to explain how the system works. Left me a bit confused. But I think I got it. This rep did say the system isn’t fair. Seems there’s a digital survey (using RPM technology), that determines who gets paid and who doesn’t. The Telemundo Network, which has less collectible money by the PRO’s, isn’t monitored 24/7. So, if my performances fall in the cracks that aren’t monitored, I don’t get paid – even though ASCAP received all 142 cue sheets (in question), filled out properly. Cue sheets don’t necessarily mean you’re getting paid.

Here’s an email correspondence with my publisher rep (filled in my gaps of confusion):

“What that specifically means is that regional networks such as Telemundo do not pay out for 24 hours a day like most networks. ASCAP runs a sample survey which is typically a handful of hours per quarter. In the case of these episodes, none of them fell within the random payment survey unfortunately.”

So there you have it!

Best, John

No comment! LOL! I wonder when Lois Lerner is going to join the board at ASCAP?

Yes John, it's always been that way and always will be, the rich will get richer while the poor just scrape by. I watched a TV special last night showing how the super rich billionaires are carving up the world between them so they can get richer. How they want to bring in world government so they don't have so many governments to control as they do now. They want to get the population down by any means so we don't mess up their nice world, which they feel they own. They pay off politicians right and left so whom ever gets elected will owe them favours so laws passed will not hurt their bottom line. One guy even built his own city out in the ocean, outside any country's territorial waters, so he doesn't have to pay tax. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven.

Well, it takes a special kind of person handling wealth Everrett. I couldn't handle being rich. I'm satisfied with the leftover crumbs.

John

One of the things most people don't understand about royalties is that for songs to earn money, SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR THEM.

When they are heard on small, isolated radio stations at times very few people listen, when they are played on second and third tier or college stations that don't collect advertising revenue, there is really nothing to collect. No money is being paid for this. One of the problems with streaming revenues is that you have to have hundreds of thousands or millions of streams to collect enough for any substantial royalties. Its always a confusing formula, and about the potential reach of the radio station to listeners. That's why the money makers are on terrestrial radio in drive time. Radio stations with huge listener ship and charts that indicate those listenerships.

It's always been difficult to explain. There were always songs throughout history that had a lot of radio airplay, but very few actual sales of physical product, and vice versa. Songs that sold product, such as album cuts, but very little radio airplay. Getting something in a major release, television show, or motion picture, commercial or large reporting avenues make enormus money. The rest simply don't earn enough money. The same as most songs never earn enough views or streams to register with the samples they do.
Glad you got some things John. Far too many simply don't register enough to get anything.

MAB

Glad I'm wealthy enough to withstand the ebb and flow of ASCAP and streaming payments! Define "wealth" you say! No debts, no hunger or thirst... a closet full of clothes for our normal seasons... and a rich deposit of children, grand-children and great-grand-children within driving distance. Of course there are degrees of wealth... but I'm free to write and record whenever the "spirit" moves me... and I can still choose to attend the Church of my choosing (Covid 19 episode taken into the equation) and... for the most part, I am a happy individual.

You would think that with modern accounting systems and high speed technology, this "cat herding" exercise of tracking music "streams" plays and performances could be easier than landing on the moon??? I think Marc said it best a few years ago... consider all this creative activity a hobby.

Be well and happy, JPF. The doors of freedom in this neck of the woods begin to open tomorrow. Eager to see where it leads us and if we experience another outbreak in the autumn. Maybe research will provide a cure or a reliable vaccine.

I've always said, "If you're healthy, you're wealthy". I'd rather be poor and healthy than be rich and sickly. Rich people sometimes bring on sickness by worrying about their money, especially when the stock market drops like it did because of this virus. Don't matter how rich you are because you can't take it with you when you die. Our bodies return to dust, not gold dust either. Our soul survives, where it goes depends on how we lived here on earth and choices we make.

"Glad you got some things John" - Marc

Thanks Marc! Yes, there's a matter of luck involved in the process of success.

Best, John

Telemundo isn't exactly an insignificant tv station. They have two million viewers. If each viewer would pay me one cent, that would equate to $20,000. I take checks or PayPal.

John

Always remember, John... sharing is a good thing! LOL!

I still can't make "heads or tails" about my ASCAP Statment(s) but soon, I'll enroll in a course called "Mind Reading 102" and will share my increased knowledge if I'm capable of retaining new material.

----Dave

Oh well, I'd probably have trouble cashing two million checks made out for a penny each.

John

John, Marc and Everett:

I've been pouring over snippets of articles regarding the Music Modernization Act and am a bit confused. It appears this action (once vigorously opposed by ASCAP) does little more than to assure the filling of the coffers of Apple and Spotify. It also appears that this "badly needed change" now allows outfits like "Music Reports" to send out notifications of intent (formerly a notice that somebody was going to do a "cover" of your song) now allows them to "steal your recording legally" and send it to their clients like Sony Music, Apple, Spotify and dozens of others where they get "streaming income" and we get "streamed-on." Can anyone clarify this for me?
If true, these dirty rats are using my song, my recording, my vocal and it does not cost them one thin dime! Damn, that is just awful. Where is the equity in such a piece of legislation if in fact, that is actually being allowed?

Another thing I noticed... after January 1 (I assume 2020... a date already past) Spotify can no longer be sued by artists, publishers, songwriters and composers for all the illegal streaming (without compensation) in years prior to the enactment of this piece of "rich get richer" legislation. A publisher named Wixen actually sued prior to the magic deadline but I do not know if an outcome has been reached.

Sorry, John! Maybe I should have started a new thread.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! ----Dave

"Sorry, John! Maybe I should have started a new thread" - Dave

Quite alright Dave. Yes, I didn't like this either "Spotify can no longer be sued by artists". I'm wondering if that will hold up in court. Especially since I didn't personally agree to these terms. Hopefully someone will test this out in a court of law.

Not sure about your first paragraph, but I'd also like to know the application of a clause such as this. Just don't sound right.

Best, John

I hope we have not been betrayed by those who are supposed to protect us. Time will tell. I'll keep you posted as I discover more.

Regards, ----Dave