Media Statement released by SABC on Wednesday, 06 June 2018 confirmed The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), as part of its commitment to invest in local music industry development and restore the dignity of artists, paid the needle time royalties for the first time to the collecting society, Independent Music Performance Rights Association (IMPRA).
This landmark payment marks the first ever payment for needle time royalties to local music artists. This payment is for the songs played on the 18 SABC radio stations for the 2014-2015 periods. The SABC engaged with collecting societies on the historical royalty payment process.
It must be made clear that the SABC pays the needle time royalties to music owners and artists through the collecting societies accredited by the Registrar of Copyright at the Companies Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). These collecting societies will in turn pay all the artists and the owners of the songs which were played by the SABC radio stations for the 2014/15 period.
In the event that the SABC played music of owners of songs and artists in 2014/2015 period; and the owners are not registered with IMPRA or any other relevant collecting society. The corporation will negotiate with the collecting societies applicable in order for the payment of these owners of songs and artists to also be effected as soon as possible.
The Chief Operations Officer (COO), Mr. Chris Maroleng said that “The SABC values the pivotal role that South African music plays in influencing social change. These artists’ work is beyond entertaining people; their craft assists in bolstering courage, inspiring participation, and fostering a sense of community. It is imperative that as a public service broadcaster we ensure that the local music industry is well stimulated and the artists reap the benefits of their hard work”.
The SABC remains committed to promote, defend, and invest in the local music market and to ensure that the South African music industry is sustainable.
