Pandora Inks Multiyear Licensing Deals With ASCAP, BMI, Withdraws Appeal in BMI Rate Case

Pandora signed separate multiyear licensing agreements with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and Broadcast Music Inc., that will benefit Pandora while “modernizing compensation in the U.S. for ASCAP and BMI songwriters and publishers," it said Tuesday. In the BMI agreement, Pandora agreed to withdraw its appeal of the May order in a recent BMI rate case (see 1505150039). ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews called the agreement “good news for music fans and music creators” and “a sign of progress” in the push for better streaming payments for songwriters, composers and music publishers. BMI’s agreement with Pandora is “comparable to the other direct deals in the marketplace, but it also allows us to amicably conclude our lengthy rate court litigation and focus on what drives each of our businesses -- the music,” said BMI CEO Mike O’Neill. Pandora CEO Brian McAndrews said the company’s agreements with performing rights organizations and direct deals with music publishers demonstrate the company's "progress in working together to grow the music ecosystem.” Terms weren't disclosed, but the parties said they allow ASCAP and BMI to deliver improved performance royalties for songwriters and publishers, while Pandora will benefit from more rate certainty and the ability to add flexibility to its product offering over time. The public performance royalties Pandora pays to rights holders of master recordings aren't affected by the agreements.